Gender variability in mood, quality of life and coping following primary myocardial infarction

Primary myocardial infarction patients were recruited from one district general hospital. The sample consisted of 220 participants, aged between 37 and 64: 169 males (77%), mean age of 60 years (SD 9.9), and 51 females (23%), mean age of 61 years (SD 8.8). Questionnaires assessed mood, quality of life and coping at specific time points to 6 months post infarction. Differences in male and female adjustment were observed. Females were observed to experience significantly greater emotional difficulties, report poorer quality of life, and utilize coping strategies to a greater extent than males. Furthermore, the contribution of variables to reported quality of life at 6 months was variable and gender dependent. In support of previous limited research, emotional response, adjustment and coping following myocardial infarction was found to be gender variable. Cardiac rehabilitation needs to be aware of, and responsive to, such variations in patient factors.