Recovery from Loss of Balance in the Spouses of Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Qualitative Study

Background: Spouses of patients with myocardial infarction commonly experience severe psychological distress. Having a sick spouse exposes them to a high risk of physical, psychological, and social harm. However, little is known about these spouses’ experiences and adjustment resources. Therefore, this article was conducted to explain how adjustment occurs in the spouses of patients with myocardial infarction. Methods: In order to achieve this research objective, comprehensive semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten spouses of individuals diagnosed with myocardial infarction, with a mean age of 52 years. The study occurred at two educational hospitals in the southeastern region of Iran from 2023 to 2024. The interviews were transcribed verbatim immediately after their completion and were subsequently analyzed using conventional content analysis methodology. MAXQDA 2020 software was employed for the systematic classification of data, and the analytical process was carried out following the methodological framework outlined by Lundman and Graneheim. Results: Five themes and thirteen sub-themes emerged as (1) "Disruption in family structure," including the subthemes (a) Changes in the role of people, (b) Increase in the responsibilities, and (c) accountability of members towards the patient, (2) "Disruption in daily life," including the subthemes (a) Disruption in the social relations between spouses, (b) Disruption in work life, (c) Changes in the patient’s job following the disease, and (d) facing economic and financial problems, (3) "Seeking information," including the subthemes (a) Referring to different doctors, (b) using internet websites, (c) Using other people’s experiences, and (d) Studying and updating information, (4) "Seeking treatments," with the subtheme (a) Paying attention to and following up on every symptom during the treatment process, and (5) "Coping with disease," with the subtheme (a) Acceptance of the disease by the spouse. Conclusion: This study showed that adapting to a spouse’s illness is complex and unique, and spouses experience numerous life changes. Consequently, clarifying therapeutic methodologies, providing information, involving them in the therapeutic process, organizing counseling sessions, and developing supportive interventions for both patients and their spouses may aid in the adaptation process for spouses.