Date of Award

Spring 1987

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nursing

Abstract

The family is viewed by Bowen as a system with an emotional and a relationship component. The literature reports that families of myocardial infarction (MI) patients have a variety of common reactions to the illness that disrupts the family's system. These reactions affect their physical well-being, emotional well-being and their relationships. Common emotional and psychological reactions are depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, sense of loss, and fear of reoccurrence. These reactions can lead to physical symptoms and changes in the family's relationships. Common physical reactions are sleep disturbances, fatigue, and loss of appetite; two changes in the family's relationships are sexual disinclination and overprotectiveness of the patient. Many different group interventions are reported in the literature to assist the families in coping with their family member's MI. From the review of literature on group interventions and on the family's reactions to the MI, guidelines are given for a family support group.

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