Positive Psychology to Improve Healthy Behaviors After an Acute Coronary Syndrome

Study of a Positive Psychology Program to Improve Healthy Behaviors After an Acute Coronary Syndrome: Proof of Concept Study

In this proof-of-concept study, the investigators will assess the ease and usefulness of a positive psychology program in patients with acute coronary syndrome and less-than-optimal adherence to health behaviors. The investigators believe that positive psychology (a field that studies boosting positive emotions rather than simply reducing negative emotions) will help this cardiac population to be more healthy. The investigators want to determine whether this positive psychology program has the potential to be an adjunctive treatment for cardiac populations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients admitted to one of three cardiac inpatient units at Massachusetts General Hospital.
• Primary diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction or unstable angina).
• Less-than-optimal adherence to health behaviors. This will be defined as a mean score of less than 15 on the Medical Outcomes Study Specific Adherence Scale (scores range from 3-18, with higher scores indicating better adherence).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive deficits, assessed via a 6-item cognitive screen used to assess appropriate participation of medically-ill patients in research studies.
• Patients not prescribed aspirin at discharge.
• Inability to communicate in English.
• Inability to participate in physical activity.