Stress-overcoming behaviour of women with minor cardiac abnormalities

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine stress-overcoming behaviour of women with minor cardiac abnormalities considering abnormality intensity. With the help of Toronto Alexithymia Scale, E. Heim`s system and S. Subbotin`s test 122 young women with different manifestation rates of the heart connective tissue dysplasia (minimal – basic group and moderate - comparison group) were examined (average age –21,46 ± 2,12 years). Significant dominance of adaptive coping strategies in all spheres was revealed when studying of stress-overcoming behaviour of healthy women with minor cardiac abnormalities of minimal intensity. Women of the comparison group used maladaptive coping-strategies in emotional and behavioural spheres more often comparing with clinically healthy women of the basic group. Significantly lower level of the stress resistance and higher alexithymia level were determined in the observed group with minor cardiac abnormalities of moderate intensity which has chosen maladaptive emotional and behavioural coping-strategies. The results are appropriate to consider for personalized arrangements for prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients with heart connective tissue dysplasia syndrome.