Types of prayer, optimism, and well-being of middle-aged and older patients undergoing open-heart surgery

Abstract

To specify the psychological mechanism through which faith factors may influence health-related well-being, we followed a sample of middle-aged and older patients for their experiences associated with open-heart surgery. Structural equation modeling analysis in an earlier report demonstrated a parallel-pathway explanatory model in which preoperative optimism and acute stress response functioned as positive and negative mediators, respectively, of the influence of using prayer for coping. This current analysis addresses an additional question: Which styles or types of prayer usage may have potential protection in postoperative outcomes? Three interviews were conducted with 295 patients (age 62±). Items from established instruments were used to assess postoperative mental health, optimism, acute stress, prayer coping, and chronic conditions. Structural equation modeling was used to test a theoretical conceptual model. The major finding was unexpected. Of the four major types, only the use of “petitionary” prayer was related to better postoperative well-being, mediated through optimism, whereas “conversational” prayer was associated with poor outcomes, mediated through acute stress. Optimism appeared to counterbalance this undesirable stress effect. Interpretations were sought on the basis of the literature and theories, especially those that have linked “petitionary” prayer with disadvantaged populations.

Acknowledgments

Amy L. Ai was supported by National Institute on Aging Grant 1 RO3 AGO 15686-01, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Grant P50 AT0011, a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, and the Hartford Geriatric Faculty Scholar's Program. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations.