Social Support, Perceived Stress, and Markers of Heart Failure Severity
Abstract
Introduction. Evidence suggests that social support and stress may play important roles in the development and progression of heart failure, an end stage of cardiovascular disease (Mookadam and Arthur, 2004; Murberg and Bru, 2001). Cohen and Wills (1985) posit that social support may influence disease through direct effects and by buffering the impact of stress on health. The present study examined (1) the main effect of functional and structural social support, independently, on markers of heart failure severity; and (2) tested the stress-buffering effects of social support in persons with heart failure. Methods. One hundred forty-seven heart failure patients completed health-related questionnaires (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, KCCQ), performed functional assessments (Six Minute Walk Test, 6MWT), and supplied a blood sample to assess a physiological biomarker (-natriuretic peptide, BNP). Functional and structural social support were assessed with the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-12) and Social Network Index (SNI), respectively; perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1013076
Entities
People
- Amanda Berg
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences