ИСТИНА

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common cardiac pathology. Researchers note a note a high incidence of anxiety disorders among MVP patients. But the research literature provides conflicting information on the psychological features of MVP patients.     Purpose of Study: To investigate the characteristics of the emotional experience of MVP patients and to indicate ways to develop in them personality reflection, emotional regulation, and reduction of clinical implications (through the use of rational-emotive psychotherapy); we examined 290 MVP patients and 73 healthy subjects. Research Methods: We applied a methodological complex, comprising various methods of psychological and medical diagnostics, statistical data processing, and rational-emotive psychotherapy. We used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, the Spilberger Anxiety Scale, “quality of life” indicators, the modified version of Rosenzweig’s method for studying reactions to frustration, and how to reduce the clinical and psychological features of MVP patients (through rational-emotive therapy). Findings: MVP patients are distinguished from healthy subjects by increased anxiety and hypersensibility in emotive situations, an increased number of emotional pains arising from frustration, low recognition of one’s needs and emotions, declining ability to regulate emotions, and a pronounced motive to avoid failure. These psychological features may result in a state of emotional tension in MVP patients when they face the many situations in everyday life that they are prone eventually to regard as menacing. A course of psychotherapy for such patients was aimed at problem solution and the development of personality reflection. The therapy produced good results: a sound tendency toward the development of personality reflection and reflection about one’s emotional state; improved structuring of emotional experience; and a reduction of the recognized physical aspects of MVP. However, the effect achieved by therapy might not be long-lasting. Patients may require a longer course of psychotherapy aimed at working on personality problems. Conclusions: The results of this research not only extend the scientific conceptualization of the nature of MVP—a heart pathology that occurs frequently—but also contribute to the formulation of new questions that are exceedingly important for the organization of further studies in clinical psychology.