An investigation of psychological distress and posttraumatic growth levels of persons with myocardial infarction and related variables in terms of Cognitive Adaptation Theory

The aim of this research was to examine the relationship between variables of the Theory of Cognitive Adaptation (optimism, control, self-esteem), coping strategies and health cognitions between psychological distress and post-traumatic development in individuals with myocardial infarction. The study was carried out with 22 women and 122 men aged 36-80 years, with a total of 144 people with myocardial infarction. In addition to the Demographic Information Form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Post Traumatic Growth Scale (PTGS), Life Orientation Test (LOT), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), Health Cognition Questionnaire (HCQ) and Brief COPE were applied. The relationship between research variables was examined using path analysis in line with the hypotheses of the research. As a result of the research, it was determined that the participants' psychological distress and posttraumatic growth levels were low. In addition, there was a relationship between self-esteem and optimism variables and psychological distress within the scope of the Theory of Cognitive Adaptation and coping strategies and dysfunctional beliefs related to this relationship have been found to have an mediator effect. It has been determined that optimism, through emotion-oriented coping strategies, and self-esteem, through the dysfunctional coping strategies affect depression and anxiety. In addition, self-esteem and optimism have been found to affect depression and anxiety through dysfunctional beliefs about health. It has been determined in the analyzes related to posttraumatic development that optimism affects post-traumatic development through problem-oriented coping strategies. In addition, it has been determined that optimism affects problem-oriented coping strategies through the dysfunctional beliefs about health. As a result of the current research, besides the variables of Cognitive Adaptation Theory (CAT), especially dysfunctional beliefs related to health are considered to be important for cardiac rehabilitation programs and should be included in the content of cardiac rehabilitation programs. Keywords: Myocardial Infarction, Psychological Distress, Posttraumatic Growth, Theory of Cognitive Adaptation, Coping, Health Related Dysfunctional Beliefs