The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Postoperative Comfort in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Cross-Sectional Study in Türkiye

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the relationship between perceived social support and comfort in coronary artery bypass graft patients. Material and Method: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study was conducted with 250 patients hospitalized for CABG surgery in a public hospital in southern Türkiye between April 1, 2022 - April 1, 2023. Research data were collected using a personal information form, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS), and the General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were adopted at every stage. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the participants' MSPSS score averages according to having children, marital status, and income level (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between the participants' average GCQ scores according to marital status, having children, age, profession, and previous surgery history (p<0.05). The patients' mean MSPSS total score is 69.67±21.91 and their GCQ total mean score is 2.93±0.36. A moderate positive correlation was found between the MSPSS and the GCQ perceived by the patients (r=0.495, p<0.001). Conclusion: It is understood that strengthening patients' social support systems are important in increasing comfort. For this reason, during surgical care, nurses should ensure that patients receive support from social resources in addition to professional nursing care to increase patient comfort.