Self-image after myocardial infarction and self-care attitude

Introduction: One of the factors which increase the rehabilitation efficacy and accelerate the convalescence and return to society of the patients after myocardial infarction may be the self-care attitude. Therefore it seems justifiable to seek such factors which will affect the self-care level. Self-estimation belongs to the most important determinants of coping efficacy and undertaking health behaviours. Considering that health behaviours may be treated as a behavioural manifestation of the self-care attitude, it is probable that the correlation between the self-image and self-care attitude appears to be strong. Aim: The aim of the research was determination of the strength of the correlation between the level of self-image and self-care attitude as well as the care types in patients after myocardial infarction. Methods: The study involved 127 persons who had myocardial infarction for the first time and did not undergo any other severe concomitant illnesses. The study covered 28 women and 99 men aged from 39 to 81, with the average age 57.74. The study consisted in completing the KTS questionnaire measuring the self-care level and OS questionnaire measuring the self-image level. The results were analysed statistically and discussed. Results: Analysis of the levels of self-care and self-image in patients after myocardial infarction showed a strong correlation between those variables at the 0.01 significance level. It is a linear correlation which means that the higher the self-image level, the higher the self-care level. This rule applies to each of the care dimensions, i.e. responsibility, involvement and future perspective as well as each of the types of self-care. Conclusions: The research indicated a strong correlation between the self-care level and types and the self-image level in those who underwent myocardial infarction. It appeared that the higher the self-image level after myocardial infarction, the higher the self-care level and the fuller the self-care. Therefore the self-acceptance level should be increased in the patient, because in the case of those who underwent myocardial infarction it is extremely important for development of the self-care attitude. A change in the self-image from negative into positive may be directly translated into an increase in the self-care level.