Cardiac illness representations, optimism and problem-focused copingV1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploration of the relationship between illness threat representations, optimism and problem-focused coping in cardiac rehabilitation patients
IRAS ID
288870
Contact name
Monica McCowat
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Having a heart attack, undergoing heart surgery, or experiencing a change in a long-term heart condition can produce fears of death or worries regarding the long-term consequences in relation to health and functioning. People can respond to these experiences differently and hold certain beliefs in relation to their cardiac condition, known as illness representations. These are unique to each individual and their experience, and the nature of these beliefs can subsequently influence the coping strategies used to manage and reduce the physical and emotional aspects of the health-related threat, as outlined in the Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation. This study aims to understand the relationship between specific types of beliefs, known as threat-related illness representations and a specific type of coping, known as problem-focused coping. Threat-related illness representations can be defined as perceiving more serious consequences associated with the illness or condition, greater number of symptoms attributed to the illness or condition and a longer timeline associated with the illness or condition. Problem-focused coping involves active coping by taking action to try and manage the health-related threat. This study also aims to explore whether psychological factors, specifically optimism, can influence the relationship between threat-related illness representations and problem-focused coping. This will involve recruiting adults aged 18 and over from an NHS cardiac rehabilitation service. The study aims to recruit 92 participants. Participants will be invited to complete one questionnaire at one time point. This will include demographic questions and questions assessing illness representations, optimism and coping. Participants will have the option of completing this via an online survey or by telephone.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0176
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion