Cardiac Couples at Hospitalization and 3 Months Later

Abstract

Based on family systems theory, this study examined perceptions of familyfunction and affect of myocardial infarction (MI) patients and their spouses at the time of hospitalization and 3 months later. Research questions were (a) Is there a difference in the perceived satisfaction withfamilyfunctioning and affect between hospitalization and 3 months later? (b) Is there a relationship between perceptions of familyfunctioning and affect? A nonprobability sample of 42 couples completed the Family APGAR and the Affects Balance Scale. Thirtyseven couples completed the same instruments at Time 2,for a return rate of 88%. In contrast to a number of previous studies, perceptions offamilyfunction did not decline between Time 1 and Time 2. At both times, patients and spouses experienced considerable emotional distress, with spouses fanrng worse than patients. Perceptions offamily function and affect balance were significantly correlated for patients at Time 2 and for spouses at both times. It is suggested that family systems nurses assess and intervene with cardiac couples at hospitalization and during convalescence with the goal of improving affect and perceptions of family function.