The Role of Coping in Preventing Atherosclerosis

Abstract: Atherosclerosis is one of the most recognized risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It is therefore important for preventive work against CVD to target factors with impact on atherosclerosis. Previous research has shown a relationship between atherosclerosis and stress, between disengagement coping and higher levels of stress, and between engagement coping and lower levels of stress. One can therefore assume that coping would have an impact on atherosclerosis, but a relationship between coping and atherosclerosis have to our knowledge not yet been studied. The aim of this study was twofold; first to investigate if engagement or disengagement coping can be considered to have an impact on atherosclerosis, and second to investigate if engagement or disengagement coping statistically can predict previously known biological risk factors for atherosclerosis. This study was carried out within a cross sectional design, and to reach the aims ANCOVA and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. The sample consisted of 1868 women and 1662 men in the age of 40, 50 or 60 years. Information on biological risk factors was collected by health care staff during health examinations. Atherosclerosis was tested by carotid ultrasound, and coping was measured by the self-reporting instrument Brief COPE. The results revealed a significant (p<.05) negative relationship between engagement coping and atherosclerosis. The results did not show a relationship between disengagement coping and atherosclerosis, and coping only predicted a few biological risk factors. These results shows that engagement coping can be considered a protective factor against atherosclerosis.