[Lay theories regarding myocardial infarction in a transcultural comparison]

Culturally influenced lay theories about myocardial infarction which exist in healthy individuals have an impact on treatment compliance. However, empirical data on the subject is rare. Using healthy subjects, a transcultural survey comparing three different ethnic groups was conducted. The groups were: Germans in Germany, Spaniards in Spain, and 1st generation Spaniards in Germany. Subjects were paralleled according to age, sex, and education. The groups were compared regarding cultural differences in casual attributions and locus of control with respect to myocardial infarction. While all three groups show a psycho-social understanding of myocardial infarction, it is most predominate in the German group. The results show both common factors as well as some significant differences between Germans and Spaniards, the Spaniards reporting more external attributions. Consequences for prevention concepts and medical care in a multicultural society were derived from the results.