The Relationship of Discomforting Factors with Coping Strategies Among Patients in Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Units

Background: Patients in cardiac surgery intensive care units are affected by different discomforting factors and use different strategies for their management. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of discomforting factors with coping strategies among patients hospitalized in cardiac surgery intensive care units. Methods: This descriptive - correlational study was done in ۲۰۱۶. A convenience sample of ۱۱۰ patients was drawn from the cardiac surgery intensive care unit of Amir - al - momenin heart surgery center, Kordkuy, Iran. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Discomforting Factors in Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit Questionnaire, and Jalowiec Coping Scale. Pearson correlation analysis, the one - way analysis of variance, the paired - sample t - test and the Tukey’s post hoc test were used to analyze the data. Data analysis was performed via the SPSS software (v. ۱۶.۰) and at a significance level of less than ۰.۰۵. Results: The mean score of discomforting factors was greater than the moderate level (۷۴.۰۸ ± ۱۶.۹۳). Participants used emotion - focused coping strategies more than problem-focused ones. Discomforting factors were inversely correlated with problem - focused strategies (r = - ۰.۲۶۶; P = ۰.۰۰۵) and directly correlated with emotion-focused strategies (r = ۰.۲۴۷; P = ۰.۰۰۹). Conclusions: Patients in cardiac surgery intensive care units suffer from the negative effects of different discomforting factors and use emotion - focused coping strategies more than problem - focused strategies for the management of the factors. Keywords: Discomforting Factors, Coping Strategies, Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit