Personality factors and Coping Skills among Coronary Heart Disease Patients

Abstract

Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of death and a cause of disability worldwide. Personality factors and coping skills are important determinants of morbidity and mortality associated with Coronary artery disease. The aim of the present work is to study whether there are certain specific personality pattern of coronary heart disease patients and the coping strategies they use to deal with stressful situations. A sample 40 male patients diagnosed as having coronary heart disease were selected from cardiology department of Krishna Rajendra hospital, Mysore. It was found that CHD patients have certain specific personality traits which reflect that these persons have low frustration tolerance for unsatisfactory conditions, are neurotically fatigued, and easily annoyed. They are suspicious and are often involved in their own ego and are self-opinionated and interested in internal mental life.