Date of Award
2001
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Denial is a defense mechanism cardiac patients use to cope with the trauma of a cardiac event. Empirical findings document positive and negative effects of denial on cardiac patients' health and health-promoting behavior. Theoretical models of stress and coping suggest denial can interfere with health-promoting behavior when individuals are in control of variables affecting their health. This study addressed the research question: What effect do denial and internal locus of control have on exercise adherence and physiological gains in cardiac rehabilitation? One hundred-thirty patients in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program completed the Cardiac Denial of Impact Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Six-Minute Walk. Patients self-reported the number of minutes spent in exercise during the typical week. Data analysis revealed no statistically significant relationships across gender, age, and medical condition. The finding indicated that denial and locus of control are less important to cardiac health than previously documented. Perhaps denial and internal locus of control become less important than other factors when cardiac patients are motivated enough to complete a structured exercise program. For patients who complete the program, other factors may be more important: financial resources, social support, health values, employment status, and risk factors. Future research should focus on evaluating the importance of the other factors and evaluating the effects of denial and locus of control in patients who do not complete a structured exercise program.
Recommended Citation
Hoxmeier, Jami Barto, "Denial And Locus Of Control In Cardiac Rehabilitation" (2001). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 789.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/789