U.K. women's perception of the role of psychosocial stress in the development of coronary heart disease

Epidemiological evidence suggests that psychosocial stress may be a contributing factor in the development of coronary heart disease. This article uses data from a study of 29 women resident in the Southeast of the United Kingdom. The women took part in semistructured interviews and completed the Short Form-36 item (SF-36) Health Survey. The women recorded low sores on the role functioning (emotional) scale of the SF-36. Interview data suggested that some women found aspects of their domestic life stressful and attributed this stress as a causal factor. Education and advice for women about coronary risk may need to acknowledge the home as a potential cause of psychosocial stress.