Sources of Social Support and Quality of Life in Cardiac Patients

Health related quality of life (HRQOL) in cardiac patients (CP) who have had myocardial infarction (MI) is the ultimate goal of every intervention to which the patient is submitted. One of the psychosocial factors that may contribute to HRQOL is social support (SS). This study sought to identify the relation between various sources of SS available during hospitalization following myocardial infarction (MI) and HRQOL two months later, and to identify the predictors of changes in HRQOL. The study involved 50 patients hospitalized for their first MI, 43 to 80 years old, including 33 men (66%). The MI was uncomplicated in 82% of the patients; 86% had angioplasty. Psychological questionnaires were administered to assess sources of SS and HRQOL. The study was conducted in two stages: during hospitalization and two months later. Improvement was found in all HRQOL dimensions during the 2-month observation period. Support given during hospitalization correlated weakly with HRQOL in stages I and II. HRQOL was significantly related to the particular source of support: professional support and family support predicted positive changes in general HRQOL, where as other SS was a negative predictor. Various sources of SS affect various aspects of HRQOL: professional support facilitates physical and social improvement, whereas family support facilitates psychological improvement. The analysed sources of SS are significant predictors of changes in HRQOL two months after MI. Support from various sources during hospitalization has a delayed effect and shows up in changes in HRQOL.