Posttraumatic stress disorder following myocardial infarction: Personality, coping, and trauma exposure characteristics

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the interrelationship between trauma exposure characteristics of myocardial infarction (MI), MI patients' personality traits, coping strategies, post-MI PTSD, and general psychological distress. Method: One hundred and twenty MI patients were recruited from two general practices. The MI patients were interviewed using a MI experience questionnaire and completed the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS), the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the COPE Scale. Results: Neuroticism was directly associated with post-MI PTSD and general psychological distress, while agreeableness did not link to the outcomes directly. Neuroticism influenced MI exposure characteristics which in turn influenced PTSD. Agreeableness affected PTSD and general psychological distress through MI exposure characteristics. Neuroticism influenced problem-focused coping which in turn affected general psychological distress. Agreeableness influenced problem-focused coping which in turn affected PTSD and general psychological distress. Conclusions: Patients developed PTSD and general psychological distress following MI. Neurotic and antagonistic personality traits combined with patients' subjective experiences of MI and usage of problem-focused coping influenced the severity of outcomes. © 2011, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.

ISSN

0091-2174

Publisher

Baywood Publishing Co. Inc.

Volume

42

Issue

4

First Page

393

Last Page

419

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

coping, myocardial infarction, personality, posttraumatic stress

Scopus ID

84863161613

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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