Paper
Friday, July 15, 2005
Strength and Comfort of Rituals in Midlife Women Experiencing Acute Myocardial Infarction
Lucia Kamm Steigelman, RN, PhD, MBA1, Laura P. Kimble, PhD, RN2, Richard Sowell, RN, PhD1, Annette Bairan, PhD, APRN, BC, FNP3, and Sandra B. Dunbar, RN, DSN, FAAN2. (1) College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA, (2) Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA, (3) School of Nursing, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Describe relationships and activities that provide strength and comfort to midlife women who experienced acute myocardial infarction |
| Learning Objective #2: Reflect on one's established religion as a potential source of health recovery support for women following AMI |
Background: Little is known about coping in midlife women following AMI. Historically, in the 1960s and 1970s coping following AMI has been studied in samples primarily of males. In depression, use of religious and family rituals were reported as coping behaviors in patients. Moderate depressive states are reported in 18% of patients following AMI. After surgery, lack of strength and comfort from religion was associated with risk of death. The purpose of this descriptive study is to guide the development of recovery interventions for midlife women following AMI by describing relationships and activities that provide strength and comfort and identifying any correlations with depression. Methods and Data Analysis: The convenience sample included 59 midlife women, mean of 52.8 years +/-8.48 years, 32% African-American, 54% high school graduates or less, 61% with family incomes less than $40,000. 89% lived with someone. Data were collected approximately one week following AMI. Women reported relationships and rituals and depression status (BDI-II). Data were examined using descriptive statistics and correlations. Outcomes: 22 (37%) participants reported symptoms of depression, significantly negative correlations were found between depression and the love, strength and comfort of friends and family. Women reported strength and comfort from religion (n=46, 78%) and from friends and family (n=47, 80%). Most frequently reported activities providing strength and comfort are: family get-togethers, being with family, and church. Discussion: Following AMI, women's responses imply the tailoring of recovery interventions to include participating in family get-togethers and engaging in already established religious rituals. Results support investigating the placement of AMI recovery interventions for women within parish nursing programs.