Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) accounts for almost 20% of all deaths in the United States and is a leading cause of premature death and disability. The cost for this disease includes not only lost work years, but billions of health care dollars. Women account for almost half of the deaths from CHD and rates for the death of young women have risen 30% from 1988 to 1998. For the two-thirds of women who survive the initial coronary event, the risk of future events and disability increases. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multi-disciplinary program designed to reduce this risk. Unfortunately, only 25% of eligible women attend the program. Few studies have analyzed the factors that influence women's CR enrollment choices making a careful examination of these factors particularly relevant. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the factors associated with a woman's decision to enroll, or not enroll, in CR from the perspectives of the patient and her support person. Twenty-five women (15 enrolled in CR, 10 not enrolled in CR) and 24 matched support persons (one person's supporters refused to participate) were interviewed using a semi-structured format from September, 1999 to January, 2001. Questions addressed the beliefs, affect, social referents, past experiences/habits, and facilitating/constraining conditions related to CR enrollment choices. Support persons were asked to respond to these questions from their perception of their loved one's attitudes, beliefs and health care seeking behaviors. Information from the interviews was transcribed verbatim, entered into NUD*IST, and coded using the components of the Expanded Theory of Reasoned Action (Triandis, 1977) as a framework. Descriptive analyses was done on basic demographic information, including perceptions of health and depression. There were specific factors identified in each of the primary categories of affect, beliefs, facilitating/constraining factors, and social referents and information. The key findings indicated that a lack of information on CR, feelings related to the perceived necessity of CR, transportation, finances, and accessibility were primary factors in enrollment behavior. Overall agreement between the cardiac female and her support person existed in most categories, except affect, where a minimum number of emotions was stated by the supporter. Cardiologists are a preferred source for CR information and they and primary care physicians need to increase the amount of positive support they provide to post-coronary event women. Emphasis on the necessity of attending CR as well as solutions for transportation and finances may increase enrollment. More research should be completed on the context of depression related to CR, importance of factors identified as having an impact on CR decision making, and the role of support persons in the enrollment choices of women. / Graduation date: 2002

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri State University, 2008. / "August 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-45). Also available online.

Thesis (M.A. in communication)--Washington State University, August 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on July 29, 2010). "Edward R. Murrow College of Communication." Includes bibliographical references (p. 58-62).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas at Arlington, 2008.

Thesis (M.A.)--Northern Kentucky University, 2008. / Made available through ProQuest. Publication number: AAT 1459938. ProQuest document ID:1622195111. Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-29)

Thesis (M.A.)--Northern Kentucky University, 2009. / Made available through ProQuest. Publication number: AAT 1465559. ProQuest document ID: 1814562511. Includes bibliographical references (p. 38-41)

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 07, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes results of four studies conducted at the University of Oregon. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 221-244). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.