Affective and social‐cognitive predictors of behavioural change following first myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objectives. To assess the utility of measures of affect and social‐cognitive variables in predicting risk behaviours for coronary heart disease in post‐myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Design. A longitudinal design was adopted with predictor variables measured while participants were in hospital and dependent variables (exercise, alcohol consumption, diet and smoking) measured 3 months following discharge. Method. A random sample of 43 patients with a first MI were identified on the wards and given a questionnaire measuring anxiety and depression, and measures of outcome and self‐efficacy expectancies and intentions relevant to each risk behaviour. Thirtyseven participants completed further behavioural measures at 3‐month follow‐up (excluding those who died in the follow‐up period), a 90% completion rate. Results. Social cognition measures were predictive of later behaviour, and in particular light exercise. Here, intentions accounted for 51% of the variance in behaviour explained after partialling out pre‐MI levels of exercise. Affect was less predictive, explaining only 7% of the variance in light exercise. Conclusions. Beliefs and intentions about future risk behaviour are formulated in the immediate post‐infarction period. Future rehabilitation programmes would benefit from some intervention, probably educational, at this early stage.