Causal attributions for angina: results of an interview study

Abstract There have been a number of studies of causal attributions in patients who have had a myocardial infarction, which have demonstrated that causal attributions can be predictive of function and outcome of cardiac rehabilitation. However, the attributions of people with angina are unknown. Twenty angina patients were interviewed to discover the causes to which they attribute their angina. Men are more likely to attribute their angina to personal behaviour, such as diet and smoking, which is under their control, whereas women are more likely to give uncontrollable causes such as stress or family history for their angina. There was also a widespread lack of knowledge about angina. These findings have implications for attempts by professionals to reduce risk factors in people with angina, and it is suggested that professionals should elicit their patients’ causal attributions.