Date of Award

2006-09-01

Degree Name

PhD Nursing

Dissertation Committee

Anita J. Hunter, PhD, APRN, CPNP, Chairperson; Jane M. Georges, PhD, RN; Jeng Wei, PhD, MD

Keywords

Coping mechanism, mental health, nursing, Post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery, quality of life, Taiwanese

Abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is a stressful event and requires coping strategies to achieve adaptation. In Taiwan, despite the fact that the incidence of CABG is increasing in both men and women, research on post-CABG adaptation is very limited and no research focuses on outcomes for women. This can lead to problems for health care providers who lack effective interventions to help these patients. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between coping, anxiety, and quality of life in Taiwanese post-CABG patients. A cross-sectional correlational design was used; the sample consisted of 50 female and 50 male patients. A post-hoc analysis was employed to understand whether the patients understood the words used in the instruments. To provide more depth to the findings, semi-structured interviews with three male and three female participants were conducted. The literature indicated that the variables' effect on quality of life varied across studies. In the present study, ways of coping, anxiety, and quality of life interacted and influenced each other. Post-CABG patients who were male and had more role responsibility, experienced lower levels of anxiety and used problem-focused coping; as a result, were more likely to obtain a better quality of life. Anxiety was a good predictor of adaptation outcome and was negatively associated with problem-focused coping. Additionally, mental health predicted greater use of problem-focused coping. The results of the semi-structured interview indicated that the quantitative findings were valid and reliable. Men still adapted better than did the women. Both men and women were concerned about their physical recovery following CABG, but men tended to make plans to take control of their health, while women tended to seek help to overcome their stress. The semi-structured interviews provided richness to the study that could not have been captured by quantitative findings alone. The interview responses raised questions about the effect of personality, worldview, culture, anxiety, coping, and perceptions on quality of life that need to be further explored.

Document Type

Dissertation: Open Access

Department

Nursing

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