Engaged patients, engaged partnerships: singles and partners dealing with an acute cardiac event

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Limited research exists on patient and partner functioning post-cardiac event.
• No studies have explored factors influencing patient engagement in disease management.
• Existing research often excludes female patients and dyadic perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate individual and relational factors affecting disease management engagement in cardiac patients.
• To explore these factors in both male and female patients and their partners.
• To understand the role of couple dynamics in patient self-care post-cardiac event.

Main Methods:

• Employed a dyadic research design, including patients and their partners in data collection.
• Sample included both male and female patients experiencing a cardiac event.
• Assessed individual functioning (distress, depression, confidence, information) and relational factors.

Main Results:

• Patients in relationships perceived fewer life consequences from their illness and showed higher healthcare engagement compared to single patients.
• Patients and their partners reported similar levels of psychological distress.
• Lower depression, higher self-confidence, and better health information were associated with increased patient engagement in treatment.

Conclusions:

• Relationship status and individual psychological factors significantly influence cardiac patient engagement in disease management.
• Dyadic approaches and inclusive sampling (including women) are crucial for understanding patient and partner functioning.
• Findings offer insights for developing targeted clinical interventions to improve patient self-care and outcomes.