Behavioural Cardiology at the Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany

Abstract

Abstract. We provide a short overview of the research in Behavioural Cardiology at the Department of Psychology at the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz focussing on two lines of research: Studies of psychosocial variables that might enhance or attenuate cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals and studies of psychosocial variables and health behaviours that might impact the health status of patients listed for heart transplantation. Our studies so far suggest that psychosocial factors like anxiety and repressive coping impact information processing and cardiovascular responses to stress. Moreover, we examine the impact of health-protective resource variables including self-efficacy and physical activity on psychological and physiological functioning in everyday life. Our studies of patients newly listed for heart transplantation document high levels of depression, the relevance of ischaemic aetiology regarding negative emotions and lacking support, and difficulties with smoking cessation and fluid restriction. Future analyses will show if these characteristics independently contribute to adverse pre-transplantation outcomes.