Relationship between Emotion Regulation Strategies, Affect and Perceived Stress among Individuals with Coronary Heart Disease: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Increases in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly coronary heart disease (CHD), can be observed globally. Therefore, this research aimed to better understand the mental health of people with heart disease by elucidating the factors that may contribute to their feelings of perceived stress. In addition, the present study aimed to explore the complicated interaction between emotion regulation strategies, affect, and perceived stress in reference to Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).
PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE
The participants of this study were 120 individuals with Coronary Heart Disease selected through a random cluster sampling approach from various hospitals in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Positive-Negative Affect Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Emotion Regulation Scale were used to collect data. In addition, the valid data was subjected to Moderated Mediation Analysis using the PROCESS macro.
RESULTS
The gender (t = 4.34, p = 0.000) significantly influenced the perceived stress among the patients with CHD, and birth order, socioeconomic position, residence, and family types were insignificant in influencing the perceived stress. The association between negative affect and perceived stress was partly mediated by cognitive appraisal. Positive emotions moderated the mediated impact of cognitive reappraisal.
CONCLUSIONS
The perceived stress was affected by the negative affect, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, and positive affect. Expressive suppression failed to mediate the relationship of negative affect with perceived stress. The mediational effect of cognitive reappraisal for the relationship of negative affect with perceived stress was moderated by positive affect.