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. 2013 Dec 27:9:255-62.
doi: 10.2174/1745017901309010255. eCollection 2013.

In Sickness and in Health: a Literature Review about Function of Social Support within Anxiety and Heart Disease Association

Cristina Zarbo  1 , Angelo Compare  1 , Elena Baldassari  1 , Alberto Bonardi  1 , Claudia Romagnoni  2
Affiliations

In Sickness and in Health: a Literature Review about Function of Social Support within Anxiety and Heart Disease Association

Cristina Zarbo et al. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. .

Abstract

A narrative review of the major evidence concerning the relationship between anxiety, social support and cardiac disease was conducted. Literature demonstrates that a strict relationship between anxiety, social support and cardiac disease outcomes subsists. However, the function of social support within anxiety and heart disease association remains unclear and needs to further researches to be established. Moreover evidence suggests that it's the quality of close relationships to play an important role in affecting psychological and physiological health status. The main components that the literature suggests for a better quality of social support and close relationship, and the main assessment measure are presented. Evidence about cardiac rehabilitation programs and the need to assess and intervene on psychological and psychosocial factors is discussed.

Keywords: Anxiety; cardiac disease; psychocardiology; quality of relationship; social support.

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Direct and indirect mechanisms of anxiety on cardiac disease.
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
Models of social support function proposed by Cohen and Wills (1985).
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