Hostname: page-component-669899f699-ggqkh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-04-25T18:58:39.974Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cardiovascular disease and meaning in life: A systematic literature review and conceptual model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2021

Joel Vos Open the ORCID record for Joel Vos [Opens in a new window]
Joel Vos*
Affiliation:
Metanoia Institute, Ealing, London, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Joel Vos, Metanoia Institute, Ealing, London, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives

Previous studies have shown that psychological stress and mental health problems increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, such as heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, after CVD events, the majority of patients report large stress. However, psychological treatments have only modest effects in CVD patients. Therefore, it has been argued that new conceptual models are needed to understand the aetiology of stress and mental health problems in CVD patients. Therefore, this study included a systematic literature review and a conceptual model on the role of meaning in life for psychological stress, mental health, and CVD risks.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted on relationships between CVD and meaning in life. PRISMA/MOOSE review guidelines were followed. These findings were used to build a conceptual model.

Results

The literature review included 113 studies on meaning and CVD. The included studies described meaning as a predictor of cardiovascular risks and health, meaning-centered needs of patients in conversations with medical staff, meaning-centered changes after CVD events, meaning-centered coping with CVD, meaning as motivator of CVD-related lifestyle changes, and meaning as an element in psychological treatments of CVD patients. In sum, the literature showed that a central clinical concern for patients is their question how to live a meaningful life despite CVD. Meaning-centered concerns seem to lead to lower motivation to make lifestyle changes, more psychological stress, lower quality-of-life, worse physical well-being, and increased CVD risk. The ability to live a meaningful life after CVD events is related with lower stress, better mental health, and several biomarkers.

Significance of results

An evidence-based conceptual framework was developed for the relationship between meaning and CVD. It may be hypothesized CVD patients may benefit from psychological therapies focused on meaning.

Keywords

CounselingExistentialHealth psychologyHeart attackMeaning in lifePsychotherapy
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , June 2021 , pp. 367 - 376
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Ai, AL, Seymour, EM, Tice, TN, et al. (2009) Spiritual struggle related to plasma interleukin-6 prior to cardiac surgery. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 1(2), 112–128. doi:10.1037/a0015775CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ai, AL, Pargament, K, Kronfol, Z, et al. (2010) Pathways to postoperative hostility in cardiac patients. Journal of Health Psychology 15(2), 186–195. doi:10.1177/1359105309345556CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ai, AL, Hopp, F, Tice, TN, et al. (2012) Existential relatedness in light of eudemonic well-being and religious coping among middle-aged and older cardiac patients. Journal of Health Psychology 18(3), 368–382. doi:10.1177/1359105311434754CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Amianto, F, Bellicanta, A, Bergui, GC, et al. (2013) Growing up with congenital heart disease: Neurocognitive outcome, psychopathology and quality of life. Rivista di psichiatria 48(6), 415.Google ScholarPubMed
Andersson, EK, Borglin, G and Willman, A (2013) The experience of younger adults following myocardial infarction. Qualitative Health Research 23(6), 762–772. doi:10.1177/1049732313482049CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Apers, S, Rassart, J, Luyckx, K, et al. (2016) Bringing Antonovsky's salutogenic theory to life: A qualitative inquiry into the experiences of young people with congenital heart disease. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 11, 29346–29346. doi:10.3402/qhw.v11.29346CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Balon, YE, Then, KL, Rankin, JA, et al. (2008) Looking beyond the biophysical realm to optimize health: Results of a survey of psychological well-being in adults with congenital cardiac disease. Cardiology in the Young 18(5). doi:10.1017/s1047951108002606CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barello, S, Graffigna, G, Vegni, E, et al. (2015) ‘Engage me in taking care of my heart’: A grounded theory study on patient-cardiologist relationship in the hospital management of heart failure. BMJ Open 5(3), e005582. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005582CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bekke-Hansen, S, Pedersen, CG, Thygesen, K, et al. (2013) The role of religious faith, spirituality and existential considerations among heart patients in a secular society: Relation to depressive symptoms 6 months post acute coronary syndrome. Journal of Health Psychology 19(6), 740–753. doi:10.1177/1359105313479625CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, B, Breeze, J and Neilson, T (2014a) Applying the recovery model to physical rehabilitation. Nursing Standard 28(23), 37–43. doi:10.7748/ns2014.02.28.23.37.e8292CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, DA, Arnold, SE, Valenzuela, MJ, et al. (2014b) Cognitive and social lifestyle: Links with neuropathology and cognition in late life. Acta Neuropathologica 127(1), 137–150. doi:10.1007/s00401-013-1226-2CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berghammer, MC, Brink, E, Rydberg, AM, et al. (2015) Committed to life: Adolescents’ and young adults’ experiences of living with Fontan circulation. Congenital Heart Disease 10(5), 403–412. doi:10.1111/chd.12244CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boehm, JK and Kubzansky, LD (2012) The heart's content: The association between positive psychological well-being and cardiovascular health. Psychological Bulletin 138(4), 655–691. doi:10.1037/a0027448CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boehm, JK, Peterson, C, Kivimaki, M, et al. (2011) A prospective study of positive psychological well-being and coronary heart disease. Health Psychology 30(3), 259–267. doi:10.1037/a0023124CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boehm, JK, Winning, A, Segerstrom, S, et al. (2015) Variability modifies life satisfaction's association with mortality risk in older adults. Psychological Science 26(7), 1063–1070. doi:10.1177/0956797615581491CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bremer, A, Dahlberg, K and Sandman, L (2009) Experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Significant others’ lifeworld perspective. Qualitative Health Research 19(10), 1407–1420. doi:10.1177/1049732309348369CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Buck, HG, McAndrew, L, Dionne-Odom, JN, et al. (2015) What were they thinking? Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing 17(3), 249–256. doi:10.1097/njh.0000000000000156CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burton, NW, Pakenham, KI and Brown, WJ (2010) Are psychologists willing and able to promote physical activity as part of psychological treatment? International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 17(4), 287–297. doi:10.1007/s12529-010-9087-8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carroll, KM and Nuro, KF (2002) One size cannot fit all: A stage model for psychotherapy manual development. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 9(4), 396–406.Google Scholar
Charlson, ME, Wells, MT, Peterson, JC, et al. (2014) Mediators and moderators of behavior change in patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease: The impact of positive affect and self-affirmation. Translational Behavioral Medicine 4(1), 7–17. doi:10.1007/s13142-013-0241-0CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chen, E, McLean, KC and Miller, GE (2015) Shift-and-persist strategies. Psychosomatic Medicine 77(4), 371–382. doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000157CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chida, Y and Hamer, M (2008) Chronic psychosocial factors and acute physiological responses to laboratory-induced stress in healthy populations: A quantitative review of 30 years of investigations. Psychological Bulletin 134(6), 829–885. doi:10.1037/a0013342CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chida, Y and Steptoe, A (2008) Positive psychological well-being and mortality: A quantitative review of prospective observational studies. Psychosomatic Medicine 70(7), 741–756. doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31818105baCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clarke, PJ, Black, SE, Badley, EM, et al. (1999) Handicap in stroke survivors. Disability and Rehabilitation 21(3), 116–123. doi:10.1080/096382899297855CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clarke, V, Braun, V and Hayfield, N (2015) Thematic Analysis. Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods, 222–248.Google Scholar
Cohen, R, Bavishi, C and Rozanski, A (2016) Purpose in life and its relationship to all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Psychosomatic Medicine 78(2), 122–133. doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000274CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cortis, JD and Williams, A (2007) Palliative and supportive needs of older adults with heart failure. International Nursing Review 54(3), 263–270. doi:10.1111/j.1466-7657.2007.00558.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Coughlin, SS (2011) Post-traumatic stress disorder and cardiovascular disease. The Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal 5, 164–170. doi:10.2174/1874192401105010164CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cuffee, Y, Ogedegbe, C, Williams, NJ, et al. (2014) Psychosocial risk factors for hypertension: An update of the literature. Current Hypertension Reports 16(10), 483.10.1007/s11906-014-0483-3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davidson, PM, Cockburn, J, Webster, JK, et al. (2003) Patients with chronic heart failure rate psychosocial and existential needs higher than physical needs when recently discharged from hospital. Journal of Cardiac Failure 9(5), S105. doi:10.1016/s1071-9164(03)00202-1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davidson, KW, Mostofsky, E and Whang, W (2010) Don't worry, be happy: Positive affect and reduced 10-year incident coronary heart disease: The Canadian Nova Scotia Health Survey. European Heart Journal 31(9), 1065–1070. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehp603CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dimsdale, JE (2008) Psychological stress and cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 51(13), 1237–1246. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2007.12.024CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DuBois, CM, Beach, SR, Kashdan, TB, et al. (2012) Positive psychological attributes and cardiac outcomes: Associations, mechanisms, and interventions. Psychosomatics 53(4), 303–318. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2012.04.004CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
DuBois, CM, Lopez, OV, Beale, EE, et al. (2015) Relationships between positive psychological constructs and health outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review. International Journal of Cardiology 195, 265–280. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.05.121CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ecochard, R, Colin, C, Rabilloud, M, et al. (2001) Indicators of myocardial dysfunction and quality of life, one year after acute infarction. European Journal of Heart Failure 3(5), 561–568. doi:10.1016/s1388-9842(01)00171-4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Edmondson, KA, Lawler, KA, Jobe, RL, et al. (2005) Spirituality predicts health and cardiovascular responses to stress in young adult women. Journal of Religion and Health 44(2), 161–171. doi:10.1007/s10943-005-2774-0CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eilertsen, G, Kirkevold, M and Bjørk, IT (2010) Recovering from a stroke: A longitudinal, qualitative study of older Norwegian women. Journal of Clinical Nursing 19(13–14), 2004–2013. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2009.03138.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Evangelista, LS, Doering, L and Dracup, K (2003) Meaning and life purpose: The perspectives of post-transplant women. Heart & Lung 32(4), 250–257. doi:10.1016/s0147-9563(03)00042-6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Faircloth, CA, Boylstein, C, Rittman, M, et al. (2004) Sudden illness and biographical flow in narratives of stroke recovery. Sociology of Health and Illness 26(2), 242–261. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9566.2004.00388.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Falk, H, Ekman, I, Anderson, R, et al. (2013) Older patients’ experiences of heart failure — An integrative literature review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. doi:10.1111/jnu.12025CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gillham, S and Clark, L (2011) Psychological care after stroke: Improving stroke services for people with cognitive and mood disorders. NHS Improvement. https://www.nice.org.uk/media/default/sharedlearning/531_strokepsychologicalsupportfinal.pdfGoogle Scholar
Grohn, B, Worrall, L, Simmons-Mackie, N, et al. (2014) Living successfully with aphasia during the first year post-stroke: A longitudinal qualitative study. Aphasiology 28(12), 1405–1425. doi:10.1080/02687038.2014.935118CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hamer, M and Chida, Y (2011) Life satisfaction and inflammatory biomarkers: The 2008 Scottish Health Survey. Japanese Psychological Research 53(2), 133–139. doi:10.1111/j.1468-5884.2011.00460.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, TB, Zwisler, AD, Berg, SK, et al. (2016) Cardiac rehabilitation patients’ perspectives on the recovery following heart valve surgery: A narrative analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing 72(5), 1097–1108. doi:10.1111/jan.12904CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haukkala, A, Konttinen, H, Lehto, E, et al. (2013) Sense of coherence, depressive symptoms, cardiovascular diseases, and all-cause mortality. Psychosomatic Medicine 75(4), 429–435. doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31828c3fa4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hefferon, K, Grealy, M and Mutrie, N (2009) Post-traumatic growth and life threatening physical illness: A systematic review of the qualitative literature. British Journal of Health Psychology 14(2), 343–378. doi:10.1348/135910708×332936CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoen, PW, Denollet, J, de Jonge, P, et al. (2013) Positive affect and survival in patients with stable coronary heart disease. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 74(07), 716–722. doi:10.4088/jcp.12m08022CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Holahan, CK, Holahan, CJ and Suzuki, R (2008) Purposiveness, physical activity, and perceived health in cardiac patients. Disability and Rehabilitation 30(23), 1772–1778. doi:10.1080/10428190701661508CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huffman, JC, Beale, EE, Celano, CM, et al. (2016a) Effects of optimism and gratitude on physical activity, biomarkers, and readmissions after an acute coronary syndrome: The gratitude research in acute coronary events study. Circulation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 9(1), 55–63. doi:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.115.002184CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huffman, JC, DuBois, CM, Mastromauro, CA, et al. (2016b) Positive psychological states and health behaviors in acute coronary syndrome patients: A qualitative study. Journal of Health Psychology 21(6), 1026–1036. doi:10.1177/1359105314544135CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ishida, R and Okada, M (2006) Effects of a firm purpose in life on anxiety and sympathetic nervous activity caused by emotional stress: Assessment by psycho-physiological method. Stress and Health 22(4), 275–281. doi:10.1002/smi.1095CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Junehag, L, Asplund, K and Svedlund, M (2014) A qualitative study: Perceptions of the psychosocial consequences and access to support after an acute myocardial infarction. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing 30(1), 22–30. doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2013.07.002CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kannel, WB and Higgins, M (1990) Smoking and hypertension as predictors of cardiovascular risk in population studies. Journal of hypertension. Supplement: official journal of the International Society of Hypertension 8(5), S3–8.Google ScholarPubMed
Kazdin, AE (2009) Understanding how and why psychotherapy leads to change. Psychotherapy Research 19(4–5), 418–428. doi:10.1080/10503300802448899CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kennedy, S (2007) Nurses’ perception of their learning needs to deliver CVD prevention programmes. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing 2(12), 571–579.10.12968/bjca.2007.2.12.27733CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kim, ES, Sun, JK, Park, N, et al. (2013) Purpose in life and reduced incidence of stroke in older adults: ‘The Health and Retirement Study’. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 74(5), 427–432. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2013.01.013CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kohlmann, S, Kilbert, MS, Ziegler, K, et al. (2013) Supportive care needs in patients with cardiovascular disorders. Patient Education and Counseling 91(3), 378–384. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2013.01.002CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Koizumi, M, Ito, H, Kaneko, Y, et al. (2008) Effect of having a sense of purpose in life on the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. Journal of Epidemiology 18(5), 191–196. doi:10.2188/jea.je2007388CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Konstam, V, Moser, DK and De Jong, MJ (2005) Depression and anxiety in heart failure. Journal of Cardiac Failure 11(6), 455–463. doi:10.1016/j.cardfail.2005.03.006CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kopp, MS, Skrabski, A, Szekely, A, et al. (2007) Chronic stress and social changes: Socioeconomic determination of chronic stress. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1113(1), 325–338. doi:10.1196/annals.1391.006CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kožul, K, Vidović, K, Heinzelman-Kožul, H, et al. (2009) The heart frequency and its variability in hypertensive patients considering A/B type of behaviour and eight basic emotions and levels of anger expression. Collegium Antropologicum 33(2), 409–416.Google ScholarPubMed
Krucoff, MW, Crater, SW, Green, CL, et al. (2001) Integrative noetic therapies as adjuncts to percutaneous intervention during unstable coronary syndromes: Monitoring and Actualization of Noetic Training (MANTRA) feasibility pilot. American Heart Journal 142(5), 760–769. doi:10.1067/mhj.2001.119138CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Krucoff, MW, Crater, SW, Gallup, D, et al. (2005) Music, imagery, touch, and prayer as adjuncts to interventional cardiac care: The Monitoring and Actualisation of Noetic Trainings (MANTRA) II randomised study. The Lancet 366(9481), 211–217. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(05)66910-3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kutner, JS (2010) An 86-year-old woman with cardiac cachexia contemplating the end of her life. JAMA 303(4), 349. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.2015CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laerum, E, Johnsen, N, Smith, PAL, et al. (1991) Positive psychological and life-style changes after myocardial infarction: A follow-up study after 2–4 years. Family Practice 8(3), 229–233. doi:10.1093/fampra/8.3.229CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lambiase, MJ, Kubzansky, LD and Thurston, RC (2015) Positive psychological health and stroke risk: The benefits of emotional vitality. Health Psychology 34(10), 1043–1046. doi:10.1037/hea0000228CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lantz, J and Gregoire, T (2003) Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 33(1), 19–33. doi:10.1023/a:1021451610123CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Law, MR, Wald, NJ and Rudnicka, AR (2003) Quantifying effect of statins on low density lipoprotein cholesterol, ischaemic heart disease, and stroke: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 326(7404), 1423–1423. doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7404.1423CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawrence, M and Kinn, S (2012) Needs, priorities, and desired rehabilitation outcomes of family members of young adults who have had a stroke: Findings from a phenomenological study. Disability and Rehabilitation 35(7), 586–595. doi:10.3109/09638288.2012.711895CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, CMY, Huxley, RR, Wildman, RP, et al. (2008) Indices of abdominal obesity are better discriminators of cardiovascular risk factors than BMI: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 61(7), 646–653. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.08.012CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, WWM, Choi, KC, Yum, RWY, et al. (2016) Effectiveness of motivational interviewing on lifestyle modification and health outcomes of clients at risk or diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies 53, 331–341. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.09.010CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leegaard, M and Fagermoen, MS (2008) Patients’ key experiences after coronary artery bypass grafting: A synthesis of qualitative studies. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences 22(4), 616–628. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6712.2007.00556CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leeming, A, Murray, SA and Kendall, M (2014) The impact of advanced heart failure on social, psychological and existential aspects and personhood. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 13(2), 162–167. doi:10.1177/1474515114520771CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lemay, K and Wilson, K (2008) Treatment of existential distress in life threatening illness: A review of manualized interventions. Clinical Psychology Review 28(3), 472–493. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2007.07.013CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Liberati, A, Altman, DG, Tetzlaff, J, et al. (2009) The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: Explanation and elaboration. PLoS Medicine 6(7), e1000100. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000100CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Littooij, E, Dekker, J, Vloothuis, J, et al. (2016) Global meaning in people with stroke: Content and changes. Health Psychology Open 3(2). 10.1177/205510291668175910.1177/2055102916681759CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lobeck, M, Thompson, AR and Shankland, MC (2005) The experience of stroke for men in retirement transition. Qualitative Health Research 15(8), 1022–1036. doi:10.1177/1049732305280772CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Low, TT and Lam, CS (2013) Women and heart failure: An emerging Venus-Mars concept. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports 7(3), 212–216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lundahl, B, Moleni, T, Burke, BL, et al. (2013) Motivational interviewing in medical care settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Patient Education and Counseling 93(2), 157–168. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2013.07.012CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marteinsdottir, I, Ernerudh, J, Jonasson, L, et al. (2016) Psychological resources are independently associated with markers of inflammation in a middle-aged community sample. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 23(5), 611–620. doi:10.1007/s12529-016-9553-zCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mårtensson, J, Karlsson, J-E and Fridlund, B (1997) Male patients with congestive heart failure and their conception of the life situation. Journal of Advanced Nursing 25(3), 579–586. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.1997025579.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mårtensson, J, Karlsson, JE and Fridlund, B (1998) Female patients with congestive heart failure: How they conceive their life situation. Journal of Advanced Nursing 28(6), 1216–1224. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.1998.00827.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McClung, JA (2013) End-of-life care in the treatment of advanced heart failure in the elderly. Cardiology in Review 21(1), 9–15. doi:10.1097/crd.0b013e31826d23eaCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mezick, EJ, Matthews, KA, Hall, M, et al. (2010) Low life purpose and high hostility are related to an attenuated decline in nocturnal blood pressure. Health Psychology 29(2), 196–204. doi:10.1037/a0017790CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, GF, Audrey, S, Barker, M, et al. (2015) Process evaluation of complex interventions: Medical Research Council guidance. BMJ 350, h1258. doi:10.1136/bmj.h1258CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Muirhead, J, Meyerowitz, BE, Leedham, B, et al. (1992) Quality of life and coping in patients awaiting heart transplantation. The Journal of heart and lung transplantation: the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 11(2 Pt 1), 265–271.Google ScholarPubMed
Nikrahan, GR, Laferton, JAC, Asgari, K, et al. (2016a) Effects of positive psychology interventions on risk biomarkers in coronary patients: A randomized, wait-list controlled pilot trial. Psychosomatics 57(4), 359–368. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2016.02.007CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nikrahan, GR, Suarez, L, Asgari, K, et al. (2016b) Positive psychology interventions for patients with heart disease: A preliminary randomized trial. Psychosomatics 57(4), 348–358. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2016.03.003CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nilsson, I, Jansson, L and Norberg, A (1999) Crisis phenomena after stroke reflected in an existential perspective. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development 49(4), 259–277. doi:10.2190/uuae-tq52-luq3-jvlrCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ogedegbe, GO, Boutin-Foster, C, Wells, MT, et al. (2012) A randomized controlled trial of positive-affect intervention and medication adherence in hypertensive African Americans. Archives of Internal Medicine 172(4), 322–326. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1307CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Owolabi, MO (2009) What are the consistent predictors of generic and specific post-stroke health-related quality of life? Cerebrovascular Diseases 29(2), 105–110. doi:10.1159/000262305CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Park, CL (2010) Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin 136(2), 257–301. doi:10.1037/a0018301CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Park, CL and Folkman, S (1997) Meaning in the context of stress and coping. Review of General Psychology 1(2), 115–144. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.1.2.115CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Park, CL, Malone, MR, Suresh, DP, et al. (2007) Coping, meaning in life, and quality of life in congestive heart failure patients. Quality of Life Research 17(1), 21–26. doi:10.1007/s11136-007-9279-0CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peterson, JC, Charlson, ME, Hoffman, Z, et al. (2012) A randomized controlled trial of positive-affect induction to promote physical activity after percutaneous coronary intervention. Archives of Internal Medicine 172(4), 329–336. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1311CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Popogrebsky, AP (1998) Influence of myocardial infarction on the persons' meaning of life. Psikhologicheskii Zhurnal 19(5), 113–120.Google Scholar
Proyer, RT, Gander, F, Wellenzohn, S, et al. (2013) What good are character strengths beyond subjective well-being? The contribution of the good character on self-reported health-oriented behavior, physical fitness, and the subjective health status. The Journal of Positive Psychology 8(3), 222–232. doi:10.1080/17439760.2013.777767CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rassin, M, Zilcha, L and Gross, D (2009) ‘A pacemaker in my heart’ — Classification of questions asked by pacemaker patients as a basis for intervention. Journal of Clinical Nursing 18(1), 56–62. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02432.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rizos, EC, Ntzani, EE, Bika, E, et al. (2012) Association between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and risk of major cardiovascular disease events. JAMA 308(10), 1024. doi:10.1001/2012.jama.11374CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Roest, AM, Martens, EJ, de Jonge, P, et al. (2010) Anxiety and risk of incident coronary heart disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 56(1), 38–46. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2010.03.034CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rohleder, N (2014) Stimulation of systemic low-grade inflammation by psychosocial stress. Psychosomatic Medicine 76(3), 181–189. doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000049CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ronaldson, A, Molloy, GJ, Wikman, A, et al. (2015) Optimism and recovery after acute coronary syndrome: A clinical cohort study. Psychosomatic Medicine 77(3), 311–318. doi:10.1097/PSY.0000000000000155CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Roncella, A, Pristipino, C, Cianfrocca, C, et al. (2013) One-year results of the randomized, controlled, short-term psychotherapy in acute myocardial infarction (STEP-IN-AMI) trial. International Journal of Cardiology 170(2), 132–139. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.08.094CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ross, L and Austin, J (2013) Spiritual needs and spiritual support preferences of people with end-stage heart failure and their carers: Implications for nurse managers. Journal of Nursing Management 23(1), 87–95. doi:10.1111/jonm.12087CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rounsaville, BJ, Carroll, KM and Onken, LS (2006) A stage model of behavioral therapies research: Getting started and moving on from stage I. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 8(2), 133–142. doi:10.1093/clipsy.8.2.133Google Scholar
Røysland, IØ and Friberg, F (2015) Unexplained chest pain and physical activity. Qualitative Health Research 26(2), 215–226. doi:10.1177/1049732315570129CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rozanski, A and Kubzansky, LD (2005) Psychologic functioning and physical health: A paradigm of flexibility. Psychosomatic Medicine 67, S47–S53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rozanski, A, Blumenthal, JA and Kaplan, J (1999) Impact of psychological factors on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and implications for therapy. Circulation 99(16), 2192–2217. doi:10.1161/01.cir.99.16.2192CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rozanski, A, Blumenthal, JA, Davidson, KW, et al. (2005) The epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of psychosocial risk factors in cardiac practice. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 45(5), 637–651. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2004.12.005CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ryff, CD, Singer, BH and Dienberg Love, G (2004) Positive health: Connecting well–being with biology. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences 359(1449), 1383–1394.10.1098/rstb.2004.1521CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sacco, SJ, Park, CL, Suresh, DP, et al. (2014) Living with heart failure: Psychosocial resources, meaning, gratitude and well-being. Heart & Lung 43(3), 213–218. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2014.01.012CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sanjuán, P, Montalbetti, T, Pérez-García, AM, et al. (2016) A randomised trial of a positive intervention to promote well-being in cardiac patients. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being 8(1), 64–84. doi:10.1111/aphw.12062Google ScholarPubMed
Sarfo, FS, Jenkins, C, Singh, A, et al. (2017) Post-stroke depression in Ghana: Characteristics and correlates. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 379, 261–265. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2017.06.032CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Satink, T, Josephsson, S, Zajec, J, et al. (2016) Self-management develops through doing of everyday activities—a longitudinal qualitative study of stroke survivors during two years post-stroke. BMC Neurology 16(1), 1–13.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schaufel, MA, Nordrehaug, JE and Malterud, K (2009) “So you think I'll survive?”: A qualitative study about doctor-patient dialogues preceding high-risk cardiac surgery or intervention. Heart 95(15), 1245–1249. doi:10.1136/hrt.2008.164657CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schou, L and Egerod, I (2008) A qualitative study into the lived experience of post-CABG patients during mechanical ventilator weaning. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing 24(3), 171–179. doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2007.12.004CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schwerdtfeger, AR and Gerteis, AKS (2014) The manifold effects of positive affect on heart rate variability in everyday life: Distinguishing within-person and between-person associations. Health Psychology 33(9), 1065–1073. doi:10.1037/hea0000079CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scully, D, Kremer, J, Meade, MM, et al. (1998) Physical exercise and psychological well being: A critical review. British Journal of Sports Medicine 32(2), 111–120. doi:10.1136/bjsm.32.2.111CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Secrest, JS and Zeller, R (2003) Measuring continuity and discontinuity following stroke. Journal of Nursing Scholarship 35(3), 243–247. doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2003.00243.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Secrest, J and Zeller, R (2006) Replication and extension of the continuity and discontinuity of self scale (CDSS). Journal of Nursing Scholarship 38(2), 154–158. doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2006.00093.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seskevich, JE, Crater, SW, Lane, JD, et al. (2004) Beneficial effects of noetic therapies on mood before percutaneous intervention for unstable coronary syndromes. Nursing Research 53(2), 116–121. doi:10.1097/00006199-200403000-00007CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shao, J, Zhang, Q, Lin, T, et al. (2013) Well-being of elderly stroke survivors in Chinese communities: Mediating effects of meaning in life. Aging & Mental Health 18(4), 435–443. doi:10.1080/13607863.2013.848836CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shirai, K, Iso, H, Ohira, T, et al. (2009) Perceived level of life enjoyment and risks of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. Circulation 120(11), 956–963. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.108.834176CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Silva, J, Ownsworth, T, Shields, C, et al. (2011) Enhanced appreciation of life following acquired brain injury: Posttraumatic growth at 6 months postdischarge. Brain Impairment 12(2), 93–104. doi:10.1375/brim.12.2.93CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Simonÿ, CP, Pedersen, BD, Dreyer, P, et al. (2015) Dealing with existential anxiety in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation: A phenomenological-hermeneutic study of patients’ lived experiences. Journal of Clinical Nursing 24(17–18), 2581–2590. doi:10.1111/jocn.12867CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sin, NL (2016) The protective role of positive well-being in cardiovascular disease: Review of current evidence, mechanisms, and clinical implications. Current Cardiology Reports 18(11), 106–106. doi:10.1007/s11886-016-0792-zCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sin, NL, Moskowitz, JT and Whooley, MA (2015) Positive affect and health behaviors across 5 years in patients with coronary heart disease: The heart and soul study. Psychosomatic Medicine 77(9), 1058–1066. doi:10.1097/PSY.0000000000000238CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sirri, L, Potena, L, Masetti, M, et al. (2010) Psychological predictors of mortality in heart transplanted patients: A prospective, 6-year follow-up study. Transplantation 89(7), 879–886. doi:10.1097/tp.0b013e3181ca9078CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Skrabski, Á, Kopp, M, Rózsa, S, et al. (2005) Life meaning: An important correlate of health in the hungarian population. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 12(2), 78–85. doi:10.1207/s15327558ijbm1202_5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, E and Kneebone, I (2016) Assessment and psychological interventions for depression comorbid with cardiovascular disease. In Cardiovascular Diseases and Depression. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 351–364.Google Scholar
Solomon, S, Greenberg, J and Pyszczynski, T (2015) The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life. New York: Random House.Google Scholar
Sone, T, Nakaya, N, Ohmori, K, et al. (2008) Sense of life worth living (Ikigai) and mortality in Japan: Ohsaki Study. Psychosomatic Medicine 70(6), 709–715. doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31817e7e64CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Steptoe, A, Demakakos, P, de Oliveira, C, et al. (2012) Distinctive biological correlates of positive psychological well-being in older men and women. Psychosomatic Medicine 74(5), 501–508. doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31824f82c8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stoll, C, Schelling, G, Goetz, AE, et al. . (2000) Health-related quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder in patients after cardiac surgery and intensive care treatment. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 120(3), 505–512.10.1067/mtc.2000.108162CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Strang, S, Henoch, I, Danielson, E, et al. (2013) Communication about existential issues with patients close to death-nurses’ reflections on content, process and meaning. Psycho-Oncology 23(5), 562–568. doi:10.1002/pon.3456CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stroup, DF, Berlin, JA, Morton, SC, et al. (2000) Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology: A proposal for reporting. Jama 283(15), 2008–2012.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Su, S, Jimenez, MP, Roberts, CTF, et al. (2015) The role of adverse childhood experiences in cardiovascular disease risk: A review with emphasis on plausible mechanisms. Current Cardiology Reports 17(10), 88. doi:10.1007/s11886-015-0645-1.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tan, MP and Morgan, K (2015) Psychological interventions in cardiovascular disease. Current Opinion in Psychiatry 28(5), 371–377. doi:10.1097/yco.0000000000000181CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tanno, K, Sakata, K, Ohsawa, M, et al. (2009) Associations of ikigai as a positive psychological factor with all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality among middle-aged and elderly Japanese people: Findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 67(1), 67–75. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.10.018CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tedeschi, RG, Park, CL and Calhoun, LG (Eds.) (1998) Posttraumatic Growth: Positive Changes in the Aftermath of Crisis. New York: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tinker, LF, Rosal, MC, Young, AF, et al. (2007) Predictors of dietary change and maintenance in the women's health initiative dietary modification trial. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 107(7), 1155–1165. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2007.04.010CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van Montfort, E, Denollet, J, Widdershoven, J, et al. (2016) Interrelation and independence of positive and negative psychological constructs in predicting general treatment adherence in coronary artery patients — Results from the THORESCI study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 88, 1–7. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.06.009CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Versteeg, H, Hoogwegt, MT, Hansen, TB, et al. (2013) Depression, not anxiety, is independently associated with 5-year hospitalizations and mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 75(6), 518–525. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2013.10.005CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vollman, MW, LaMontagne, LL and Wallston, KA (2009) Existential well-being predicts perceived control in adults with heart failure. Applied Nursing Research 22(3), 198–203. doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2008.02.001CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vos, J (2016a) Working with meaning in life in chronic or life-threatening disease: A review of its relevance and the effectiveness of meaning-centred therapies. In Clinical Perspectives on Meaning. Springer International Publishing, pp. 171–200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vos, J (2016b) Working with meaning in life in mental health care: A systematic literature review of the practices and effectiveness of meaning-centred therapies. In Russo-Netzer, P, Schulenberg, SE and Batthyany, A (eds.), Clinical Perspectives on Meaning: Positive and Existential Psychotherapy. New York: Springer International Publishing, pp. 59–87.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vos, J (2017) Meaning in Life: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Practitioners. London: Macmillan International Higher Education.Google Scholar
Vos, J and Vitali, D (2018) The effects of psychological meaning-centered therapies on quality of life and psychological stress: A metaanalysis. Palliative and Supportive Care 16(5), 608–632. doi:10.1017/s1478951517000931CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wampold, BE, Mondin, GW, Moody, M, et al. (1997) A meta-analysis of outcome studies comparing bona fide psychotherapies: Empirically, “all must have prizes”. Psychological Bulletin 122(3), 203–215. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.122.3.203CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wann-Hansson, C, Rahm Hallberg, I, Klevsgård, R, et al. (2008) The long-term experience of living with peripheral arterial disease and the recovery following revascularisation: A qualitative study. International Journal of Nursing Studies 45(4), 552–561. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2006.11.006CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whalley, B, Rees, K, Davies, P, et al. (2011) Psychological interventions for coronary heart disease. In Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Google Scholar
Whalley, B, Thompson, DR and Taylor, RS (2014) Psychological interventions for coronary heart disease: Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 21(1), 109–121.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yu, L, Boyle, PA, Wilson, RS, et al. (2015) Purpose in life and cerebral infarcts in community-dwelling older people. Stroke 46(4), 1071–1076. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.114.008010CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed