Methods: Secondary data analyses were performed using data from a sample of 135 patients who experienced AMI. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to examine the independent predictors of emotion-focused coping as measured by a 5-item scale that was developed for the purpose of this study. 

Results: The data suggest that age (β = -208; p<.001), history of coronary bypass (β = -.184; p <.028), and country of residence (β = .173; p <.039) were the only the independent predictors. Interestingly, chest pain, history of previous myocardial infarction, and conclusion that the symptoms were related to the heart were not associated with emotion-focused coping. Conclusion: The use of negative emotion-focused coping can lead to delay in seeking care for acute myocardial infarction. Thus, understanding the factors that contribute to increased use of emotion-focused coping is important. The results highlight that patients with a previous history of coronary bypass and younger people are likely to engage in negative emotion-focused coping and thus need to be specifically targeted.