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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress
Published on: October 19, 2011
Sex and Psychosocial Differences in Acute Stress Symptoms Prior to Open-Heart Surgery
Amy L Ai1, Hoa B Appel2,3, Chyongchiou J Lin4,5
1Florida State University, College of Social Work, 296 Champions Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-2570, USA. amyai8@gmail.com.
Background:
Acute stress symptoms can occur while cardiac patients await open-heart surgery (OHS). The distress leads to poor outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association of sex and psychosocial factors (quality-of-life and character strengths).
Method:
Our study cohort included 481 pre-OHS patients (female 42%; mean age 62 years). Medical indices/factors were obtained from the Society of Thoracic Surgeon's national database. Multiple regression analyses were performed following pre-planned steps and adjusting medical factors.
Results:
Our findings revealed that sex differences in trauma-related symptoms were associated with poor mental well-being, alongside comorbidities. Both mental well-being and comorbidity factors were directly related to acute stress symptoms, while dispositional optimism had an inverse association with this outcome.
Conclusion:
To improve OHS outcomes, our findings suggest healthcare providers be attentive to pre-OHS acute stress symptoms, pay greater attention to the emotional well-being of their female patients, and develop supportive interventions to enhance personality strengths.
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