XXXX : gender differences in coping and social support.

@entity1 @entity583 @entity301
AIM: The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge about gender differences in perceptions of coping and social support among @entity1 who have experienced @entity583 . RATIONALE: @entity1 with @entity301 have physical, social and medical disadvantages compared with their male counterparts, which can influence their perception of recovery after cardiac events. No review has been found which focuses on gender differences in coping and social support in @entity583 @entity1 . METHOD: A computerized search was conducted using the keywords ' @entity583 ', 'coping', 'gender differences' and 'social support'. Forty-one articles, published between 1990 and October 2002, were scrutinized. FINDINGS: Two studies report that @entity1 used more coping strategies than @entity1 . Several qualitative studies found that @entity1 used a variety of coping strategies. @entity1 minimized the impact of the disease, tended to delay in seeking treatment and did not want to bother others with their health problems. Household activities were important to them and aided their recovery. @entity1 were more likely to involve their spouses in their recovery, and resuming work and keeping physically fit were important to them. @entity1 tended to report that they had less social support up to 1 year after a @entity583 compared with @entity1 . They received less information about the disease and rehabilitation and experienced lack of belief in their heart problems from caregivers. Further, they received less assistance with household duties from informal caregivers. @entity1 tended to report more support from their spouses than did @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Traditional gender-role patterns may influence the recovery of @entity1 who have experienced @entity583 . Caregivers may need to be more sensitive to gender-specific needs with regard to risk profiles, social roles, and the @entity1 's own role identity. For many @entity1 , especially older ones, household duties and family responsibilities may be an opportunity and a base for cardiac rehabilitation.
