research
Psychological aspects in health and diseases
Zahra Hamzeei; Alireza Aghayousefi; Mahdiyeh Rahmanian
Abstract
Objective: Stress is widely recognized as a critical factor influencing both the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Evidence suggests that the use of adaptive coping strategies can enhance psychological resilience and improve patients’ ability to manage stressful life events effectively. ...
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Objective: Stress is widely recognized as a critical factor influencing both the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Evidence suggests that the use of adaptive coping strategies can enhance psychological resilience and improve patients’ ability to manage stressful life events effectively. Accordingly, the present study aimed to examine the impact of coping therapy on stress-coping strategies and perceived stress levels among women with cardiovascular disease.
Method: This semi-experimental research employed a pre-test–post-test design with a control group and a one-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of 30 women diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and experiencing psychological stress, who were selected through convenience sampling from a cardiology clinic in Qom, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received the Folkman and Lazarus (1984) coping therapy program over 12 weekly sessions (each lasting two hours), while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983) and the Lazarus and Folkman Coping Strategies Questionnaire (1980), administered before, after, and one month following the intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 24.
Results: Findings revealed a significant improvement in adaptive coping strategies and a significant reduction in perceived stress among participants in the coping therapy group compared with the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Coping therapy proved effective in enhancing stress-coping strategies and decreasing perceived stress levels in women with cardiovascular disease. By enabling participants to identify the root causes of stress, reinterpret stressful experiences, and employ effective coping mechanisms, the intervention contributed to improved psychological and potentially physiological well-being. The findings highlight the importance of integrating coping-based psychological interventions into cardiac rehabilitation programs to improve the overall health of cardiovascular patients.
