Disengaged and emotion-focused coping strategies were consistently associated with greater psychological distress among cardiac patients compared to engaged and problem-focused strategies.
Meta-Analysis
Which coping classifications (problem versus emotion or engaged versus disengaged) best predict psychological distress in individuals with cardiac diseases?
The engaged-disengaged coping classification is a better predictor of emotional distress in cardiac patients than the problem-emotion classification, highlighting the need to target maladaptive coping.
Disengaged and emotion-focused coping strategies were consistently associated with greater psychological distress among cardiac patients. In contrast, engaged and problem-focused strategies had weaker and more variable associations. Overall, the engaged-disengaged classification was a better predictor of emotional distress in this population. Findings emphasize the need to target maladaptive coping in interventions for individuals with cardiac diseases. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Sowan et al. (Thu,) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiac diseases. Disengaged and emotion-focused coping strategies vs. Engaged and problem-focused coping strategies was evaluated on Psychological distress. Disengaged and emotion-focused coping strategies were consistently associated with greater psychological distress among cardiac patients compared to engaged and problem-focused strategies.