Living with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: Impact of Perceptions on Psychosocial Well-being

Abstract

Background: An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) is an effective intervention for individuals at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Uncertainty and lack of support impacts acceptance and adjustment to living with an ICD. The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations between uncertainty and social facilitation with the psychosocial well-being of adults living with an ICD. Methods: This study employed a quantitative exploratory-descriptive design with a convenience sample of participants (N=100). A 91-item survey was distributed virtually. The instruments included a patient characteristics questionnaire and the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS) to measure uncertainty, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to measure social facilitation, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB) to measure psychosocial well-being. Results: Psychosocial well-being was predicted by ICD shocks (B = -7.48, p = .004), reason for implant (B = 12.43, p = .05), device-related distress (B =.61, p =