Psychologic distress of patients and their spouses after coronary artery bypass surgery

The first 6 weeks of recovery from coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a source of stress for both patients and their spouses. Attempts by patients and spouses to manage the stress associated with this post-hospitalization recovery are associated with alterations in psychologic functioning. This study consisted of a secondary analysis of a larger study evaluating the effects of a homegoing family information intervention. The authors identify and compare the psychologic distress of patients and spouses 6 weeks after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients and spouses were individually interviewed in their homes 6 weeks after surgery. They were asked about their psychologic functioning by using the Profile of Moods States. Results indicated that spouses experienced more psychologic distress than patients at 6 weeks after surgery. Younger spouses reported more anger than older spouses. These results support the need for discharge and home interventions to reduce the psychologic distress of spouses as well as patients. Younger spouses, in particular, may need targeted interventions. Additionally, the effect of gender on measures of psychologic distress needs further exploration.