The relationship of threat appraisal and coping patterns in coronary artery bypass patients

• Main Author: Speiser, Bernadette Susan
• Other Authors: Ball State University. School of Nursing.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Heart > Surgery > Patients.; Adjustment (Psychology); Heart > Surgery > Psychological aspects.; Coronary artery bypass.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/184534; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/845964

Coronary bypass surgery is an increasingly common occurrence. Current literature does not validate the coping mechanisms involved for patients facing this life-threatening event. Lazarus’ theory of stress and coping was utilized as the framework for the study. The purpose of the study was to identify the degree of threat coronary bypass surgery presents and coping mechanisms utilized with this specific insult. The significance of the study was to assist nurses in identification of perceived risks/benefits of having open heart surgery from the patient’s perspective. The population included patients from a private cardiovascular practice in Indianapolis, Indiana. The convenience sample included 38 subjects recovering from coronary bypass graft surgery. Subjects were identified as uncomplicated post-operative surgical patients and were mailed questionnaires one month after discharge from the hospital. The Jalowiec Coping Scale and a questionnaire for demographic data were utilized to collect data. Procedures for protection of human subjects were followed. The research design was non-experimental and descriptive, correlational procedures were utilized to analyze data.The data supported the notions that clients utilized both problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping, and emotion-focused coping strategies were more effective in reducing the threat. Education was significantly related to emotive coping styles and clients that perceived a higher threat intensity utilized more emotion-focused coping strategies. Recognition of the need to minimize stressors can be an important role the nurse facilitates. Through participatory care, the nurse may assist in finding the meaning for the stressor and encourage open communication patterns and emotional responses. Allowing for reduction of threat perception and intensity may enhance the outcome of the experience. === School of Nursing