Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Over 1.2 million Canadians are living with Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD). Living with CAD results in physical and emotional burdens. For example, depression doubles the risk of cardiac death. In contrast, after struggling with CAD some patients have reported positive change that may be protective of this excess risk. This phenomenon, referred to as post-traumatic growth (PTG), includes increased closeness to family and appreciation of life. Within my study, I will use various cardiac samples to 1) summarize the current evidence on the effects of PTG on mortality and morbidity among CAD patients; 2) explore the characteristics of CAD outpatients who reported PTG 1 year after diagnosis; and 3) assess the impacts of PTG on mortality and re-admission rates in CAD inpatients. Study 1 will entail a literature search from multiple databases to generate a meta-analysis. Study 2 will involve data from a completed prospective study of 1490 CAD outpatients. Participants responded to mailed baseline and follow-up surveys, which assess the level of PTG and its potential correlates. Clinical data were extracted from charts. Study 2 will be conducted through an on-going study of 2240 CAD inpatients. At baseline, patients will fill out a survey assessing their characteristics and CAD risk factors. At 1 year, patients' level of PTG will be assessed. At 3 years, patients' records of re-admission and mortality will be obtained from administrative databases for survival analysis based on PTG level. My work will contribute a novel angle to the current knowledge concerned with human strengths for adaptation to CAD. Results will be translated into strategies to assist cardiac patients in increasing their daily living skills and independent social functioning.