How Gender Affects Psychological Adjustment One Year After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Abstract

This research investigated gender differences in psychological adjustment among patients (112 males, 39 females) one year after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Information regarding post-CABG depression, non-cardiac chronic conditions, and socioeconomic variables were obtained from a survey. Additional cardiac, surgical, and demographic data were retrieved from a hospital computer database. Women were more likely than men to experience postoperative depression, attributable to their poor health. Depression one year post-CABG was predicted by non-cardiac chronic illnesses, postoperative fatigue and shortness of breath and socioeconomic status.