Relationship between types of social support, coping strategies, and depression in individuals after heart transplantation

Abstract

Background. Many heart transplant (HT) recipients are confronted with various medical complications and psychosocial issues arising from limitations related to the disease. They often feel that they are “being controlled by the disease†and experience feelings of depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between types of social support, coping strategies, and depression in HT recipients. Methods. A cross-sectional survey design was used to recruit 123 participants at mean age of 54.79 and mean 10.22 years after heart transplantation from a single center. The following instruments were used: BSSS, BDI-SF, Brief COPE. Statistical analyses included: correlations, linear regression and structural equations modelling. Results: Actually received social support and perceived available social support, both emotional and instrumental, had a significant direct relation to depression. Coping strategies mediated the relationship between the actually received social support, the perceived available emotional social support and depression. The research findings suggest, that individuals with low perceived available and the actually received social support (both emotional and instrumental), as well as avoidance and denial coping strategies are especially prone to experiencing depression. In the study, a significant mediating effect on depression was found between active coping, planning, positive reframing, self-blame, and the actually received support. The findings imply, that assessments of social support and coping strategies are an integral part of the care of HT recipients. Moreover, coping and social support issues need to be addressed in any intervention aimed at reducing the depression in heart transplant recipients