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Positive life orientation and recovery from myocardial infarction

Author

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  • Agarwal, Manju
  • Dalal, A. K.
  • Agarwal, D. K.
  • Agarwal, R. K.

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between positive life orientation (PLO) and recovery from a recent myocardial infarction (MI), i.e. heart attack. PLO was defined as a predisposition to selectively focus one's attention on the brighter side of any situation. An 11-item measure of PLO was developed. Seventy male patients of first MI receiving treatment at a local government hospital were interviewed twice, 4-5 days after their first heart attack (time 1) and a month after their first heart attack (time 2). The interview schedule consisted of measures of PLO, perceived recovery, expected recovery, helplessness, personal control and mood state. At time 1 all these measures were administered but at time 2 measures of only PLO, personal control, perceived recovery and mood state were administered. In addition, the attending doctor assessed the patients' medical recovery at time 1. Results showed positive correlation of patients' PLO scores with their medical recovery, perceived recovery, expected recovery, personal control and mood state but negative with helplessness. PLO scores were not influenced by patients' age, education, or income. Patients' scores on PLO at two time points were not significantly different and were positively correlated. Their scores on sense of personal control and perceived recovery increased significantly at time 2. Significant intercorrelations among variables, under study, often reduced to insignificance on partialling out PLO. PLO, thus emerged as an important factor in recovery from MI.

Suggested Citation

  • Agarwal, Manju & Dalal, A. K. & Agarwal, D. K. & Agarwal, R. K., 1995. "Positive life orientation and recovery from myocardial infarction," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 125-130, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:40:y:1995:i:1:p:125-130
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    Cited by:

    1. Namita Pande & Shruti Tewari, 2011. "Understanding Coping with Distress due to Physical Disability," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 23(2), pages 177-209, September.
    2. Benjamin A. Smallheer & Michael Vollman & Mary S. Dietrich, 2018. "Learned Helplessness and Depressive Symptoms Following Myocardial Infarction," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 27(5), pages 597-616, June.
    3. Pilar Sanjuán & Ángeles Ruiz & Ana Pérez, 2011. "Life Satisfaction and Positive Adjustment as Predictors of Emotional Distress in Men With Coronary Heart Disease," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(6), pages 1035-1047, December.

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