Quality of life and coping strategies in recipients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator

• Objectives: To explore relationships between quality of life (QOL), coping strategies, anxiety, depression and perceived control in recipients living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and compare those having received an ICD less or more than one year ago and those with a primary or secondary preventive indication. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used, and 147 individuals (mean age 63 years, 121 men) who had lived with an ICD between 6 to 24 months completed Quality of Life Index-Cardiac version, Jalowiec Coping Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Control Attitude Scale. Results: Anxiety, depression and perceived control were predictors of QOL. Anxiety was also a predictor of the use of coping strategies with optimism being the most used coping strategy. No relationship was found between QOL and the use of different coping strategies. No differences were found in QOL, coping, anxiety, depression and perceived control between ICD recipients having the device less or more than one year and treated either on a primary or secondary preventive indication. Conclusions: Recipients with an ICD did not use a multitude of coping strategies, but anxiety increased the use of coping. Perceived control was the most influential predictor of QOL. Practice implications: Supportive long term follow up interventions should be tailored to the recipients that have problems adapting to the device and perceive poor control in everyday life and a decreased psychological well-being.

Nyckelord

Anxiety

arrhythmia

defibrillators

depression

perceived control

quality of life

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

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