Investigation of the relationship between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression symptom severity and perceived social support and problem coping styles in individuals with a myocardial infarction

The aim of this study is to reveal the effect on post-traumatic stress disorder, depression symptom severity, perceived social support and coping styles in patients with a history of heart attack. The research was carried out by applying a scale to a total of 100 followed-up patients, 48 women and 52 men, over the age of 18, who had a heart attack and were receiving outpatient treatment at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Institute of Cardiology in Istanbul. Informed consent form, Sociodemographic Information Form, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Beck Depression Test, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support and Problem Coping Styles scales were applied to the participants to collect data in the study. Independent Groups t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the relationship between variables and scale scores according to demographic variables by applying Pearson correlation analysis. Predictiveness was tested with Multiple Linear Regression. SPSS 25 program was used for data analysis. The normal distribution assumption, which was accepted as the first assumption of the analysis, was checked. In order to predict the Depression of Perceived Social Support and Coping Styles, Regression Analysis method was used to examine the predictor between the variables, and in this direction, multiple linear regression analysis was performed. The findings show that family support and behavioral disengagement predict depression in patients who have had a heart attack. It has been determined that as the social support individuals receive from the family increases, the level of depression decreases, while the behavioral interruption increases the level of depression. MI patients who received both psychotherapy and pharmacological support were found to have high levels of depression and PTSD. It was concluded that these patients more commonly used dysfunctional coping styles such as focusing and expressing emotions, quitting substance use and other activities. As a result of the study, it is seen that heart patients who have adequate perceived social support, family support and friend support need less psychological and pharmacological support. Being divorced was found to be a negative correlation between PTSD, depression, social support and coping styles.