Psychosocial predictors of cardiac rehabilitation quality-of-life outcomes

Received 24 November 2004

Abstract

Objective

This study investigated hostility, social support, coping, depression, and their contributions to concurrent and posttreatment quality of life (QoL) among a group of patients participating in a 6-week cardiac rehabilitation program.

Method

Both direct and mediational relationships among psychosocial factors, QoL baseline, and QoL outcome were examined using structural equation modeling analysis, while age, education, and severity of illness (risk for future event) were controlled.

Results

The final model was well supported (χ2=64.88, df=56, P>.05; CFI=.99, RMSEA=.04). Results indicated that baseline QoL, hostility, and depressive symptom severity directly and independently predicted QoL outcome, while depression and hostility were also associated with baseline QoL. Hostility, social support, and maladaptive coping also contributed to baseline and follow-up QoL by their associations with depression.

Conclusion

Psychosocial characteristics were interrelated, and they predicted postrehabilitation QoL outcome directly or indirectly through depression symptom severity.

Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation, Coronary heart disease, Hostility, Quality of life, Social support, Depression

a Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States

b Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States

c Greater Los Angeles VA Health Center and University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL 33124-0751, USA. Tel.: +1 305 284 5439.

PII: S0022-3999(05)00210-2

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2005.06.069

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