The effect of low social support on short-term prognosis in patients following a first myocardial infarction.

The objectives of the current study were (1) to assess adjustment in patients following a first myocardial infarction (MI) at 9 months compared with 4-6 weeks post-MI, (2) to examine the availability of and satisfaction with social support over time, and (3) to determine separate baseline psychosocial predictors of recurrent cardiac events. A questionnaire assessing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, health complaints, and social support, was distributed to consecutive patients 4-6 weeks and 9 months post-MI. Prior to assessment at follow-up, 8 (7%) of 112 patients had dropped out, and two had died due to cardiac causes.