The relationship between worry and anger rumination with adjustment problems to heart disease: The mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation

Abstract

Objectives: Heart disease is one of the chronic diseases that require adjustment and extensive changes in the patient's life. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between anger rumination and worry with adjustment problems to heart disease. Methods: A total of 327 patients with coronary artery disease (138 women and 189 men) participated in this study. Participants were asked to complete the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Anger Rumination Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and Adjustment to Illness Scale. Results: Worry, anger rumination, and difficulty in emotion regulation showed a negative correlation with adjustment to heart disease. The results of path analysis indicated that the relationship between worry and anger rumination with adjustment to heart disease was mediated by difficulties in emotion regulation. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, management of worry and anger rumination, as well as emotion regulation strategies, should be implemented in regular medical treatments for patients with heart disease.