Coping, Sense of Coherence and the Dimensions of Affect in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Background: Living with chronic heart failure has an impact on several important dimensions of an individual's life. A patient's use of coping strategies may influence his or her health condition and emotional well-being.

Aim: To investigate factors that may relate to the coping strategies used by individuals with chronic heart failure and how the coping strategies are associated with positive and negative affect.

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used. The participants provided demographic data and filled out three questionnaires: Sense of Coherence scale, Brief COPE and Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule.

Results: No differences in relation to coping strategies were found with regard to New York Heart Association class. Substance use was associated with gender and age. Sense of coherence was negatively associated with denial, behavioural disengagement, venting and self-blame, and positively associated with acceptance. It was found that avoidant coping positively and sense of coherence negatively, predicted negative affect. Problem focused coping positively predicted positive affect. Socially supported coping predicted both negative and positive affect.

Conclusion: The present study found that the employment of different coping strategies and sense of coherence had an impact on affect and therefore also the emotional well-being among patients with chronic heart failure.