0 - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Biopsychosocial Effects Among Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients 52
Focused Scale and depression scores among CABG patients. Additional examination
with the Pearson's correlation indicated that post-surgical CABG patients who use
emotion focused styles of coping such as: the use of emotional support, behavioral
disengagement, venting, religion, and substance abuse are significantly more likely to
score higher depression scores and may be clinically depressed. This finding makes sense
when interpreted within the context of most research on coping and CABG outcomes.
Individuals who do not take active problem solving approaches to their health care often
find poorer outcomes and may even suffer complications (Carver, 1997; Sheier, &
Weintraub, 1989; McCabe et aI., 2000). Considering the demographic moderators to this
study, it is not surprising that participants who were able to participate often came with a
spouse, appeared to be progressing, attended cardiac rehab, and appeared to take an active
CABG recovery approach, clearly supporting this finding( Boudrez & DeBacker, 2001).
Despite the significant findings, examination of coping on the Brief Cope­
Emotion Focused Scale and pain (MPQ) revealed no significant relationship. As
supported in the previous literature, individuals who typically have higher pain levels do
not cope as well (Barth, Schumacher & Herrmann-Lingen, 2004). They are also less
likely to attend cardiac rehab, and comply with behavioral changes or medication regimes
(Kimble & Zerwic, 1998). One possible explanation can be that there was not enough
power in the sample to detect a relationship because of low participation. Again, another
explanation may be that the sample bias who actually volunteered may have been using
more active coping vs. emotion based coping, therefore reducing reported pain levels.
Descriptive Statistics