Predictive and Protective Role of Grit, Internal Locus of Control and Social Support in Mental Health of Cardiac Patients

Abstract

Individuals diagnosed with cardiac diseases often experience poor mental health outcomes. However, grit, social support and internal locus of control can provide protective effects against poor mental health in patients diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to assess the predictive and protective role of grit, internal locus of control and social support with regard to mental health of cardiac patients. A total of 250 cardiac patients had been sampled comprising 130 males and 120 females in the age range of 30 to 70 years selected through purposive sampling. Data collection was done using Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Duckworth Grit Scale and DASS-21. Data analysis was done using Pearson correlation and regression analyses using dummy coding. Results showed that among cardiac patients, being a male in the age range of 30 to 45 years of age, being married, having higher levels of education, higher scores on grit with an internal locus of control is associated with improved mental health. It is thus concluded that having an internal locus of control, higher levels of social support and being gritty is associated with improved mental health outcomes in cardiac patients.