The effect of training life expectancy and coping styles on negative emotions of cardiac surgical patients' mental health

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death worldwide and stress is the reason behind many negative emotions. Surgery is one of the most stressful situations. Coping styles and life expectancy affect people's mental and physical efficacy. The present study aims to determine the effectiveness of training life expectancy and effective coping styles to deal with negative emotions on cardiac surgery patients' mental health at Sari-based Fateme Zahra Hospital in 2013. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 candidates for coronary artery bypass surgery referring to this center was selected using the available sampling method. They were then randomly included into two 15-member groups as experimental and control group. Stress management, anger management, and hopefulness training courses were held individually for 7 sessions. Before and after the intervention, the patients of both groups answered the questionnaires including the Coping Manners Questionnaire (by Lazarus & Folkman), Snyder’s Hope Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Results: Data analysis implied that there is a significant difference between the average general health in the experimental and control groups after training. Investigating the subscales of coping strategies in the experimental and control groups after training showed that there is a significant difference between direct coping, planned problem solving, and positive reappraisal in the two groups. Conclusions: In patients with coronary heart disease, high stress, and negative emotions (anger, anxiety, depression) also as the candidates of coronary artery bypass surgery, training raised life expectancy level and the practical methods for coping with life can be great help to their mental health condition.