Abstract
Objectives: We examined whether gender differences exist regarding stress, symptom distress, coping, adherence, and social support 5 years after heart transplantation. Background: Differences exist in health-related quality of life outcomes by gender after heart transplantation; women report poorer outcomes. Methods: Patients (. n = 210, female = 42), were from a prospective, multi-site, study of health-related quality of life long-term after heart transplantation. Patients completed self-report instruments 5 years after heart transplantation (mean = 4.98 ± 0.17 years after transplant). Statistical analyses included two-sample t-tests, Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and multivariable modeling. Results: Women did not report more overall stress or symptom distress, but reported more difficulty adhering to the transplant regimen, yet more actual adherence than men. Women reported using more negative coping styles, but reported more satisfaction with social support. Conclusions: Gender differences exist regarding appraisal of stress, coping styles, and coping resources long-term after heart transplantation. These differences may guide tailoring therapy regarding stress, poor coping, and lack of resources.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 41-47 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Heart and Lung: Journal of Acute and Critical Care |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2016 |
Funding
This study was funded by National Institute of Nursing Research Grant R01 NR005200 , a grant-in-aid from the College of Nursing, Rush University, intramural funding from the Rush Heart Institute, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; and intramural funding from Northwestern University, Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery.
Keywords
- Gender
- Heart transplant
- Perceived adherence
- Social support
- Stress and coping
- Symptoms
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine