Effects of social support on depression following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract

Abstract The influence of emotional social support on depression following coronary artery bypass graft surgery was examined in 75 patients. Immediately following surgery, social support was significantly associated with a decline in depression. Subsequently, post-surgery chest pain and perceptions of poor health emerged as the best predictors of continued depression. During the first weeks after surgery it may be that discomfort and pain are expected and tolerated well such that depression is ameliorated by social support. However, after three months, beliefs about physical recovery became the most important determinants of patient psychological status. Clinical implications of these findings are briefly discussed.