Do Cognitive Coping and Goal Adjustment Strategies Used Shortly After Myocardial Infarction Predict Depressive Outcomes 1 Year Later?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which cognitive and goal-related coping strategies used shortly after myocardial infarction predicted depressive outcomes 1 year later. The sample consisted of 88 persons who had experienced a myocardial infarction 3 to 12 months before first data assessment. Cognitive coping and goal adjustment strategies were assessed at time 1 by the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Goal Obstruction Questionnaire, respectively. Depressive symptoms were assessed at both time 1 and time 2 by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The results showed that cognitive coping strategies (rumination, catastrophizing, and positive refocusing) and goal adjustment strategies predicted 39% of the variance in depressive symptoms at follow-up. In addition, little change in depressive symptom scores was observed after 1 year. The results with regard to the prospective relationships between coping and depressive symptoms provide important targets for intervention.