Social support, appraisals, and coping as predictors of depression in congestive heart failure patients

Abstract

Depression is a serious and pervasive concomitant of congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to expand on Holahan et al.'s model of social support and active coping as determinants of depression in individuals with cardiac illness. We examined social support, appraisals, and coping as subsequent predictors of depression in a sample of 163 community-dwelling individuals with diagnosed CHF. The results of structural equation analyses indicated that the satisfaction with social support and percentage of active coping employed were prospectively related to lower levels of depression, and that appraisals of one's illness as threatening were a strong predictor of higher levels of depression. These findings suggest that focusing on social support and coping processes may be a useful avenue for alleviating depression in those living with CHF.

Keywords:

• Congestive heart failure
• appraisals
• depression
• social support

Acknowledgement

This study was partially supported by an American Heart Association-Ohio Valley Scientist Development Grant to the first author.