Dyadic and mediation analyses of coping with cardiovascular disease

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between attachment security and health outcomes of cardiac patients and their spouses. Dyadic coping and relationship quality were proposed to mediate this relationship. Participants were 72 couples in which one member of the couple was participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Results showed that participants with higher attachment avoidance perceived their general and mental health worse and were less likely to exercise. Patients with higher attachment avoidance perceived their partner as less supportive and this was negatively associated with their general and mental health. Spouses’ positive support and marital happiness partially mediated the relationship between their attachment anxiety and mental health. Patients with spouses with higher attachment anxiety exercised more; whereas spouses of patients with higher attachment anxiety exercised less.