RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SELECTED ANTECEDENT VARIABLES AND COPING EFFECTIVENESS IN POSTMYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PATIENTS

Selected theoretical relationships from Lazarus' (1966) model of stress were tested in a convenience sample of 81 postmyocardial infarction clients. Two hypothesized causal models were analyzed. Results from regression analyses indicated 63% of the variance in coping effectiveness was explained by marital status, length of time since hospitalization, perceived availability of social support, uncertainty, degree of threat, coping strategies, and emotions. A revised model that fit the data was proposed. Findings indicated that emotions were an outcome of threat, not coping; threat did not directly affect coping strategies; and coping strategies did not directly influence coping effectiveness.