Rationale:

Evidence suggests patients derive support from spirituality and religiosity following a cardiac event. Limited data are available on the influence of spirituality and religiosity on the experience of the spouse caregiver.

Objectives:

To describe the relationship between strength of spirituality and religiosity and spouses' perceptions of quality of life and confidence in the patient's ability to perform physical tasks after a first-time cardiac event. To determine if relationships exist between spouses' and patients' reports of strength of spirituality and religiosity, quality of life, and confidence in the patient's ability to perform physical tasks.

Methodology:

A cohort sample of 44 patients and their spouses completed measures of spirituality, religiosity, religious coping, quality of life, and self-efficacy at the start and completion of a 12-week outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated to examine relationships among variables.

Results:

Strength of spirituality and religiosity was not associated with quality of life for spouses. Religious coping (P <.05) was negatively associated with the spouse's confidence in the patient's ability to perform physical tasks at the start of rehabilitation. Quality of life for spouses and confidence in the patient's ability to perform physical tasks were related to patients' quality of life and ratings of physical self-efficacy. Strength of spirituality and religiosity for spouses was associated with strength of spirituality and religiosity for patients.

Conclusion:

Factors, such as anxiety and uncertainty, may influence quality of life for spouses during early recovery. Spouses who were more anxious during early recovery may have turned to religion or spirituality for support. A synergistic relationship between spouses' and patients' strength of spirituality and religiosity and their perceptions of quality of life and confidence in the patient's physical self-efficacy suggests that interventions to promote adaptation include both patient and spouse.