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Understanding men's psychological reactions and experience following a cardiac event: a qualitative study from the
Jalila Jbilou1,2, Jean Grenier3, Marie-Helene Chomienne4,5
1Psychology, Universite de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada jalila.jbilou@umoncton.ca.
Insights
Men often face undiagnosed emotional challenges after a cardiac event, including managing uncertainty and conforming to masculine norms. Healthcare needs tailored, men-sensitive approaches to improve psychosocial adjustment and care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Emotional issues like depression and anxiety are common post-cardiac event.
- Men are at higher risk for these issues, yet they often go undiagnosed.
- Understanding men's experiences is crucial for developing effective, gender-sensitive healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the emotional challenges men face after a cardiac event.
- To understand men's patterns of psychosocial adjustment.
- To inform the adaptation of healthcare approaches for men.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing focus groups and one-on-one interviews.
- Interpretive phenomenological analysis was employed.
- 93 men participated across various clinical and community settings in Canada.
Main Results:
- Four major themes emerged: managing uncertainty, distancing/normalizing/accepting, conformity to masculine norms, and social/literacy/communication challenges.
- Men's psychosocial adjustment is influenced by emotional, social, and cultural factors.
- These themes highlight the complex interplay of physical and psychological recovery.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare professionals need awareness of men's psychological and social adjustments post-cardiac event.
- There's a lack of men-sensitive guidelines, tools, and clinical training.
- Further research is required to enhance clinical practices and healthcare services for men.
Objectives:
Emotional issues such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are common following a cardiac event. Despite their high prevalence, they often go undiagnosed and research suggests that men in particular are at higher risk. Therefore, a better understanding of men's experiences with a cardiac event and ensuing health services is key for adapting approaches that meet their needs. The aim of this study was to describe the self-reported emotional challenges that men face following a cardiac event and to understand their patterns of psychosocial adjustment.
Design:
Qualitative study (focus groups and one-on-one interviews) using an interpretive phenomenal analysis.
Setting:
Clinical settings (cardiac departments in hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation programme and family medicine clinics) and in the community in three Canadian provinces.
Participants:
A total of 93 men participated in the study through 22 focus groups and 5 semi-structured interviews, none has been excluded based on comorbidities.
Results:
Four major themes emerged: (1) managing uncertainty and adversity; (2) distancing, normalising and accepting; (3) conformity to traditional masculine norms and (4) social, literacy and communication challenges.
Conclusions:
Healthcare professionals caring for men following a cardiac event must be aware of the psychological and social adjustments that accompany the physical challenges. However, there is a lack of explicit guidelines, tools and clinical training in men-sensitive approaches. Further research is required to better inform clinical practices and healthcare services.
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