Recovery from CABG is a stressful experience and requires
physical and psychosocial adaptation (Flanagan 1998, Redeker
1992), as well as appropriate coping strategies to manage
the stressful condition and reduce the level of anxiety often
associated with adaptation (Redeker 1992). According to
Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) transaction coping theory, the
theoretical framework for this study, an individual applies
either problem-focused or emotion-focused coping strategies
when encountering problems. Problem-focused coping attempts
to alter and manage the stressor, whereas emotionfocused
coping attempts to regulate the emotional response to
the stressor. Adaptation outcome refers to physical and
psychosocial health, both of which are affected by appraisal
and coping (Lazarus & Folkman 1984).