Family Role and Work Adaptation in MI Women

The purpose of this longitudinal, randomized clinical study was to assess if family role functioning and work role adaptation in women following a myocardial infarction was improved by a nursing instructional intervention. The 122 participants entered the study at their discharge phase of hospitalization. The treatment group, who received the nursing instructional program, demonstrated increased adaptation related to family role over time, had less symptoms and concerns with sexual activity, and had higher adaptation scores in resuming the paid work role. For both groups, the role most impacted across time was the homemaker role. Nursing implications for assessing role disruption in women with myocardial infarction are described.