Citation

Dougherty CM, Thompson EA. Res. Nurs. Health 2009; 32(4): 432-442.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/nur.20330

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the physical and mental health of the intimate partners of persons receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). A prospective longitudinal repeated measures design was used, with data collected at hospital discharge, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation. Intimate partners' physical health, symptoms, and depression significantly declined over the first year. Although anxiety was significantly reduced over time, it remained elevated in partners after 1 year. The impact of implantation of the ICD on the intimate relationship and care demands was most dramatic at hospital discharge. Health care use was low throughout the year. Intimate partners could benefit from an intervention that would assist in their psychological adjustment and provide strategies for dealing with caregiving demands at home. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 32: 432–442, 2009