Distress in partners of cardiac patients: relationship quality and social support

Abstract

Introduction: While much research has focused on supporting patients' psychological recovery after an acute cardiac event, relatively little attention has been given to the psychological wellbeing of partners of patients. There are some indications that partners experience higher levels of anxiety and depression than cardiac patients. Previous studies have identified sociodemographic and behavioural predictors of distress in partners. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the quality of the marital relationship and the social support network impact on partner distress in the aftermath of a patient's cardiac event. Method: A mixed-method approach, including questionnaires and semistructured interviews, was used, with partners interviewed at the time of the event. Partner distress was measured at 12 months post event. Chi-square and t-tests were used to identify factors associated with partner distress, and logistic regression was used to identify unique predictors of partner distress. Results: One-hundred partners of cardiac patients consecutively admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Melbourne Private Hospital over a 12-month period were recruited, with 73 participants retained at 12 months. Poor marital quality at the time of the cardiac event was the only unique predictor of partner distress. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data highlighted the ways marital quality impacts partners. Conclusion: Quantitative and qualitative findings illustrate the multi-dimensional impact of marital dysfunction on psychological distress in partners. Psycho-education and support for partners of cardiac patients appears warranted.