Illness Perceptions and Fear of Recurrence Among Myocardial Infarction Survivors: The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) patients often experience fear of recurrence, which affects their psychological well-being and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the relationship between illness perception, psychological flexibility, and fear of recurrence, as well as to investigate the demographic factors associated with fear of recurrence in MI patients. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, enrolling 466 MI patients to complete questionnaires assessing general information, disease-related factors, illness perception, psychological flexibility, and fear of recurrence. Correlation analysis, analysis of variance, and mediation effect analysis were used to explore the relationships between these factors and fear of recurrence. Results: Gender, monthly income, marital status, alcohol consumption, New York Heart Association functional classification (NYHA classification), and number of chronic diseases were significantly associated with fear of recurrence. Illness perception was positively correlated with patients’ fear of recurrence. Psychological flexibility was negatively correlated with fear of recurrence and played a mediating role between illness perception and fear of recurrence, mediating the negative impact of illness perception on fear. Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize the critical role of psychological flexibility in mitigating the fear of recurrence among myocardial infarction survivors. By targeting modifiable factors such as psychological flexibility and illness perceptions, healthcare providers can develop more effective interventions aimed at improving mental health and overall quality of life for these patients.