Couples coping with a myocardial infarction: Contextual perspective on patient self-efficacy.

Examined perceived self-efficacy in men 6 mo after a myocardial infarction. Efficacy was positively correlated with their degree of dependence on their wives. Regression analyses were used to develop separate models of patient self-efficacy in terms of patient and wife characteristics, and a 3rd composite model was then derived from these analyses. Patient efficacy was related to the men's actively engaging their wives but their doing less protective buffering. Patient efficacy was also related to their wives being more efficacious and doing more protective buffering, but their being less overprotective. The asymmetry in patient and wife contributions to patient efficacy is noteworthy, given previous findings that wives' protective buffering is associated with greater distress in them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)