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Support of wives of myocardial infarction patients
Author(s) -
Thompson David R.,
Cordle Christine J.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.1988.tb01411.x
Subject(s) - myocardial infarction , medicine , emotional support , intervention (counseling) , emotional stress , family medicine , social support , physical therapy , nursing , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology
Seventy‐six wives ofpatients suffering a first myocardial infarction were studied by questionnaire 6 weeks after their husbands went home. Despite the routine provision of support and information to spouses during their husband's stay in hospital, a high proportion reported physical and emotional symptoms of stress. The majority of wives felt they were poorly informed about myocardial infarction, had not had enough opportunity to ask the experts questions, and had received most support from relatives. The reasons for thesefindings are discussed and suggestions for early and systematic nursing intervention are made in an attempt to reduce stress and prevent the development of unhealthy patterns of behaviour.