Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1999

Thesis Director

Phyllis T. Croisant

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in the level of perceived social support from family, friends, and program staff in Phase III patients who comply and patients who do not comply to cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Staff of 22 cardiac rehabilitation programs in ten different states, distributed 10 surveys to compliers and 10 surveys to non-compliers. A three-part questionnaire was designed to gather information regarding demographics, perceived staff social support and perceived family social support. Independent t-tests were used to determine if there were differences in perceived social support between compliers and non-compliers.

Of possible 440 surveys, a total of 193 (44%) were returned, 128 (58%) were compliers who returned the surveys and 65 (30%) of the non-compliers who returned the survey. Independent t-tests showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between compliers and non-compliers in perceived total social support, family social support, and staff social support. Compliers reported a higher level of perceived social support. Compliers also reported a greater frequency and duration of exercise per week outside of the program than non-compliers. In addition to the three days of exercise at the cardiac rehabilitation program site, compliers were exercising an additional three days for about 45 minutes. Non-compliers exercised about two times a week for 25 minutes.

Perceived social support was found to be higher in compliers than non-compliers in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

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