The role of perceived overprotectiveness in recovery 3 months after myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that overprotectiveness of patients after myocardial infarction (MI) by the spouse has a negative effect on recovery.

METHODS

Subjects were 52 male patients who were admitted to one of four area hospitals with a first documented myocardial infarction (MI) and their wives. While in hospital, patients were interviewed by a research nurse who rated the patient's emotional distress on a scale from 1 to 10. Patients completed a Family APGAR and a self-efficacy scale for cardiac patients estimating their level of functioning in 3 months. Wives also completed a Family APGAR, an estimate of their husbands' functioning in 3 months using the self-efficacy scale, and Zung Depression and Anxiety scales. At 3 months post-MI, patients completed the following questionnaires: Family APGAR, self-efficacy scale for cardiac patients regarding current functioning, Zung Anxiety and Depression scales, and the Psychosocial Adaptation to Illness Scale. Perceived overprotectiveness and criticism were measured using the Influential Relationships Questionnaire. The Goldman Specific Activity Scale was used to quantify cardiac recovery. Wives completed the same questionnaires as at the first assessment.

RESULTS

Perceived overprotectiveness was positively correlated with patients' anxiety and depression, with perceived criticism from their wives, and correlated negatively with quality-of-life. However, it was not related to the patients' confidence in their functional abilities or to cardiac functional classification at 3 months. Wives who were perceived as overprotective had been less optimistic about their husbands' functional recovery immediately after the MI. Patients who perceived themselves to be overprotected at 3 months had also been less optimistic about their functional recovery when assessed a few days post-MI.

CONCLUSIONS

Although perceived overprotectiveness is part of a negative emotional experience for the male patients, it does not appear to be related to perceived functional abilities or cardiac functional classification at 3 months post-MI. Whether the perceived overprotectiveness studied here is a function of the patient's overall emotional state or the wife's actual behavior or a combination of both is an area for future research.