Coping with the effects of myocardial infarction from the viewpoint of patients' spouses

Abstract

The spouse of a patient who has experienced a myocardial infarction (MI) reportedly has psychological and social needs and challenges during the patient's hospitalization but there is a lack of knowledge regarding spouses' coping experiences and resources. The aim of this study was to develop a substantive theory to help explain the coping experiences of the spouse during the patient's hospitalization following an acute MI. Twenty eight spouses of patients in two Finnish hospitals participated in an open-ended interview within 2 to 5 days of the MI and included 12 husbands and 16 wives. The core category "Seeking balance" included the spouses' emotional, cognitive, and social coping experiences following an acute MI. This study adds new information about spouses' coping experiences as well as tensions and problems in interaction between the patient and the spouse. Challenges were reported in talking about serious illness concerns between the spouse and patient and also with other family members.