The Effect of Optimism Training on Emotional Problems and Life Satisfaction in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in the developed world. The purpose of the present research was to examine the effect of optimism training on reducing emotional problems and increasing satisfaction with life (SWL) in patients with MI. Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental with the plan of the pre-test, posttest and control group. The statistical population included all patients with MI 40-65 years old referred to Kasra hospital in Karaj in 2019. The sample was 90 patients with MI assigned to the two experimental and control groups randomly. Data collected using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and the satisfaction with life scale (SWLS). The data analyzed using the methods of univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The result showed that optimism training significantly decreases emotional problems and increases life satisfaction in the experimental group (p<0.01). Discussion: Optimism plays an important role in coping with stressful and adverse events and optimistic patients adapt better to stressful situations compared to pessimists, with positive repercussions on their quality of life. This finding has important implications as regards the education and mental health of patients with MI.