Comparison of adjustment, activity, and tangible social support in men and women patients and their spouses during the six months post-myocardial infarction

Abstract

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate gender differences in adaptation and activity among survivors of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and their spouses during the six months post-hospital discharge. Male and female married survivors of MI, matched on age, disease severity, and socioeconomic status, and their spouses responded to measures about functional impairment, psychological distress, and level of involvement in household and other activities prior to and 4, 10, 16, and 22 weeks after the MI. Both patients and spouses were distressed by the MI, but the distress lasted longer for spouses. Male spouses increased traditional domestic activities (e.g. cooking, laundry) in the weeks shortly after their wives' heart attack, and patient wives decreased domestic activities compared to prior to the MI. However, wives still did as much as their husbands. Women recovering from MI may carry a heavier burden of household responsibilities and activities than their male counterparts. This burden, if premature, may pose a threat for reinfarction during the early stages of rehabilitation.

Women with coronary artery disease and depression: A neglected risk group

“…For both men and women, social support (measured as being married) has been shown to be an independent predictor for survival rates and recurrent infarction in CAD patients (Chandra et al 1983;Williams et al 1992). However, women with CAD tended to report lesser informational, instrumental and emotional support than men (Hildingh and Fridlund 1997;Rose et al 1996).…”

Does Time Spent on Household Activities or Housework Stress Complicate Recovery Following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery?

“…Rose et al (1996) showed that female patients, soon after a heart attack, worked more hours in the household than their husbands, whereas in contrast, male patients experienced a significant relief by their spouses from household duties in the weeks after their heart attack. Artinian and Duggan (1995) and King, Porter, and Rowe (1994) assessed the subjective stress of patients after a bypass surgery on a continuous scale and showed that women also felt more restricted by their household chores than men.…”

“…Psychosocial factors and social support contribute to the recovery process (e.g., Barry, Kasl, Lichtman, Vaccarino, & Krumholz, 2006;Elizur & Hirsh, 1999) and may partially account for gender differences (Logsdon, Usui, Cronin, & Miracle, 1998). In particular, some authors have suggested that women's traditional role demands might affect recovery after CABG Lemos, Suls, Jenson, Lounsbury, & Gordon, 2003;Rose, Suls, & Green, 1996). Especially in the early phase of recovery, when patients are instructed to avoid exertion of the upper part of the body, traditionally female domestic activities such as vacuuming and washing dishes could increase the risk for complications , mask cardiac symptoms , and divert attention from the patient's own needs (Helgeson, 1993).…”

Religion, Relationships and Mental Health in Midlife Women Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

“…Four available studies reported higher depression scores for women than men (Conn, Taylor, & Abele, 1991;Frasure-Smith et al, 1999;Schleifer et al, 1989;Stern et al, 1977), while other studies report no gender differences (Crowe et al, 1996;Riegel & Gocka, 1995;Rose et al, 1996;Wiklund et al, 1993). For both men and women, major depression following AMI has not been documented.…”