Illness representations and psychological distress in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Hermele, Sandy1; Olivo, Erin1; Namerow, Pearila2; Oz, Mehmet3
Source: Psychology, Health and Medicine, Volume 12, Number 5, October 2007 , pp. 580-591(12)
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Abstract:
Preoperative psychological distress has been shown to predict both postoperative distress and subsequent cardiac morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This study assessed the associations between illness perceptions and psychological well-being among 56 patients awaiting CABG surgery using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R). Patient perceptions of their illness as chronic were associated with reduced beliefs in both personal control over illness and efficacy of treatment, and increased perceived consequences of illness in terms of life functioning. In addition, psychological distress regarding illness was significantly correlated with psychological distress in general. Reduced illness coherence was also associated with increased psychological distress. Preoperative psycho-education aimed at helping patients better understand their illness, treatment, and its effects may reduce psychological distress, and perhaps improve future well-being as a result.Keywords: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery; illness representations; psychological distress
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1080/13548500601162705
Affiliations: 1: Columbia Integrative Medicine Program, Columbia University Medical Center, New York 2: The Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, New York 3: Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA
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