Causal attributions following a cardiac event: Short- and long-term differences in health appraisals and outcomes. Issue 1 (3rd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bennett, Kymberley K; Clark, Jillian MR; Harry, Kadie; Howarter, Alisha D
• Is Part Of: Health psychology open. Volume 3:Issue 1(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-03-03
• Subjects: beliefs -- heart -- outcomes -- psychological distress -- social cognitions; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/2055102916632669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-1029

Abstract

This study examined attributions generated by cardiac rehabilitation patients shortly after experiencing a cardiovascular event, exploring whether attribution type was associated with health appraisals and outcomes concurrently and 21 months later. Attributions fell into three categories: controllable behavioral ones, uncontrollable biological ones, and stress-related causes. Linking attribution type to appraisals and outcomes showed that creating a behavioral attribution was beneficial in the short-term for control appraisals, but was associated with increased anxiety symptoms 21 months later. Thus, cardiac rehabilitation providers should encourage patients to maintain a future-focus that promotes perceived control over health promotion behaviors that reduce risk for recurrence.