BACKGROUND Physical activity is strongly associated with lower risk of recurrent cardiac events in patients who experience an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), yet most patients do not meet recommended levels of physical activity. Psychological well-being is associated with higher levels of physical activity, but midlife adults experience a multitude of stressors that can reduce well-being. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare midlife (age 45-64) and older (age 65+) participants in a positive psychology intervention to increase physical activity and psychological well-being after an ACS. METHODS This was a secondary analysis across 3 phases of a telephone-delivered positive psychology intervention development project. Participants were hospitalized for an ACS and had low pre-ACS health behavior adherence. They received 8-12 weekly intervention sessions. Psychological outcomes, self-reported adherence, and physical activity were measured before and after treatment. Mixed regression models were used to compare session completion rates and change in outcome measures between midlife and older participants. RESULTS Across 164 participants, midlife participants showed larger improvements in depression, positive affect, and physical activity, but not anxiety or optimism, than older participants; session completion rates did not significantly differ. CONCLUSIONS Midlife patients post-ACS may be particularly responsive to a telephone-delivered positive psychology intervention. Clinically, the post-ACS period may be uniquely motivating for midlife patients to improve their physical and psychological health. Future work could customize positive psychology for unique midlife stressors.

中文翻译：

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急性冠脉综合征患者中年状态与积极心理干预反应的关系


背景技术对于患有急性冠脉综合征(ACS)的患者来说，体力活动与较低的复发性心脏事件风险密切相关，但大多数患者没有达到推荐的体力活动水平。心理健康与较高水平的身体活动有关，但中年成年人会经历多种可能降低幸福感的压力源。目的 本研究的目的是比较中年（45-64 岁）和老年（65 岁以上）参与者在积极心理干预中的情况，以增加 ACS 后的身体活动和心理健康。方法 这是对电话传递的积极心理干预开发项目的三个阶段进行的二次分析。参与者因 ACS 住院，且 ACS 发生前的健康行为依从性较低。他们每周接受 8-12 次干预课程。在治疗前后测量心理结果、自我报告的依从性和体力活动。使用混合回归模型来比较中年和老年参与者之间的会话完成率和结果测量的变化。结果 在 164 名参与者中，中年参与者比老年参与者在抑郁、积极情绪和体力活动方面表现出更大的改善，但在焦虑或乐观方面没有改善；会话完成率没有显着差异。结论 ACS 后的中年患者可能对电话提供的积极心理干预特别敏感。临床上，ACS 后时期可能是中年患者改善身心健康的独特动力。未来的工作可以针对独特的中年压力源定制积极心理学。