The relationship of emotional and tangible support to psychological well-being among older women with heart failure

• Published in: Research in nursing & health Vol. 17; no. 6; p. 433
• Main Authors: Friedman, M M, King, K B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-1994
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiac Output, Low - economics; Cardiac Output, Low - psychology; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic; Personal Satisfaction; Social Support
• ISSN: 0160-6891
• DOI: 10.1002/nur.4770170606

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between social support, symptom severity, and psychological well-being in older women with heart failure. In-home interviews were conducted with 80 older women following a hospital admission for heart failure. Subjects were asked their perceptions of emotional and tangible support received, symptom severity, and psychological well-being. Greater emotional support was related to greater positive affect and satisfaction with life. Greater tangible support was related to less negative affect. Neither emotional nor tangible support buffered symptom severity. The results indicate that emotional and tangible support may each affect different aspects of psychological well-being in older women with heart failure.