| Summary: | Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1996. Nursing Bibliography: leaves 74-84. This descriptive correlational study was conducted to describe the health-promoting behaviours of cardiac patients six months to one year after coronary artery bypass surgery. Differences in health behaviours before and after surgery and factors associated with health behaviour choice were also examined. Pender's Health Promotion Model (1987) was the theoretical framework used to guide the study. From this model, three cognitive-perceptual and three modifying factors were examined. Data were collected using mailed questionnaires. The sample was comprised of 58 subjects, a response rate of 92.1%. The majority (69%) of subjects were male, 86% were married, their average age was 62.6 years, and their average years of schooling was 9.2 years. Exercise and diet were the most frequently reported health behaviours among this group of subjects. Stress management activities, as indicated by the frequency of avoiding upset and talking about problems with others, were less frequently identified. In addition, a significant difference in the frequency of behaviours before and after surgery was indicated. Although no significant relationship was found between select cognitive-perceptual variables and health behaviours, several modifying factors were identified as predictors of health behaviours among this group. Together, previous health behaviours and perceived support explained 48% of the variance in current health behaviours. The results of this study suggest that nurses need to be alert to the potential influences of health behaviour choice, particularly the influence of previous health behaviours and perceived support after CABS. Critical periods for relapse to former behaviours after surgery warrant further investigation.
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