A description of the nature and dynamics of coping following coronary artery bypass surgery

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature and dynamics of coping following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS). The coping strategies of 129 subjects recovering from (CABS) were assessed at 1 and 6 weeks following surgery using the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist. The most frequently used coping strategy was seeks social support, followed, in descending order of frequency, by problem focused coping and the emotion-focused coping strategies of blamed self, wishful thinking, and avoidance. There was an overall decrease in coping between 1 and 6 weeks following CABS. Seeks social support, blamed self, and wishful thinking coping were used significantly less frequently at 6 weeks than at 1 week following CABS. The decreases in problem focused and avoidance coping, however, were not statistically significant. This study provides insight into the process of coping following CABS and supports the need for development of nursing strategies to promote coping in this population.