Prevalence of Psychological Distress among the Patients with Cardiac Issues: Gender & Marital-Status are in Focus

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Number of psychological issues has been noticed in the cardiac, kidney, diabetic and digestive patients. In fact, the psychological issue is being ignored while doing the diagnosis of medical patients. Such practice of addressing psychological distress is an ignored field particularly in Pakistan in medical settings. This research was conducted to check the prevalence of psychological distress among the individuals with cardiac issues.

Method of the Study: This study was conducted in Hospital settings with the patient belong to diversified demographic characteristics. In this research a cross-sectional research design was used.  For this purpose a sample of (N=150) cardiac patients recruited by purposive sampling. The severity of psychological distress was checked by applying DASS-21 scale developed by Lovibond & Lovibond (1995). Data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings of the Study: The study findings reported a higher prevalence of psychological distress among the cardiac patients. A gender wise comparison showed that male individuals with cardiac issues showed sever prevalence of mental distress whereas the level of anxiety was same among both genders.  Furthermore, the findings showed a significant severity of distress among the individuals with Congenital Heart Disease. Similarly, the severity of depression was high among the individuals with Heart Valve Disease. Moreover, the level of anxiety was higher among individuals with Pericardial Disease. 

Conclusion: Hence, it concluded that the Psychological distress is linked with the medical and cardiac issues among the patients. So it is necessary to address the psychological distress of medical patients to reduce the medical issues.