Role of Social Support, Psychological Distress, and Adaptive Coping Strategies in Determining the Quality of Life among Cardiac Patients in Multan

Abstract

Coronary Heart Diseases (CHDs) are considered to be a significant cause of mortality around the globe, especially in middle-income countries. This study investigated the major determinants that directly and significantly affect quality of Life (QoL) among patients with cardiac disease. Social Support Theory and Lazarus and Folkman's Stress and Coping Theory were the basic theoretical foundations of the present research. Data were collected from N=385 cardiac patients using a convenience sampling technique at Multan Institute of Cardiology (MIC). Multiple regression analysis indicated that social support, psychological distress, and adaptive coping strategies accounted for 56% of the variance in QoL among cardiac patients. In conclusion, increasing social support and adaptive coping strategies, along with decreasing psychological distress, can improve the QoL among patients suffering from CHD. It is recommended to launch the “Cardiac Care Program” in conjunction with the “Sehat Card” to treat cardiac diseases. Likewise, awareness campaigns, counseling sessions, and rehabilitation therapies can be used to decrease the psychological distress among patients suffering from acute and chronic heart diseases.