Social Support and Family Resilience Among Young and Middle-aged Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: The Mediating Role of Sense of Coherence and Coping Styles.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in young and middle-aged populations continues to rise annually. Nevertheless, research regarding the factors influencing family resilience and potential enhancement pathways remains scarce among young and middle-aged patients with this condition.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we sought to examine the association between social support and family resilience in young and middle-aged patients with CHD, while investigating the mediating effects of sense of coherence and coping styles.

METHODS

The investigation encompassed 251 young and middle-aged patients with CHD from a tertiary hospital in Hubei. Researchers utilized the shortened Chinese version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale, and Simple Coping Style Questionnaire for data collection. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0 and PROCESS plug-ins.

RESULTS

Significant correlations emerged between social support, sense of coherence, adaptive coping, and family resilience. Social support demonstrated a direct positive influence on family resilience (direct effect, 0.247; 95% confidence interval, 0.119-0.374). Both sense of coherence and adaptive coping were found to independently mediate the relationship between social support and family resilience. Additionally, a statistically significant chain-mediating effect of sense of coherence and adaptive coping was observed (indirect effect, 0.010; 95% confidence interval, 0.002-0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

Among young and middle-aged patients with CHD, social support not only directly influences family resilience but also exerts indirect effects through both independent and chain-mediating pathways involving sense of coherence and adaptive coping. Hence, developing comprehensive interventions targeting social support enhancement, coherence strengthening, and adaptive coping promotion is crucial for bolstering family resilience.