Table 3 Scores on The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) measured before and six months after negative cardiac evaluation (N = 138) (Paired samples t -test)

1. How much does your illness affect your life?

3.0 (2.3)

2.3 (2.0)

0.74

<.001

2. How long do you think your illness will continue?

4.1 (2.7)

4.8 (3.4)

−0.73

.01

3. How much control do you feel you have over your illness?

4.0 (3.0)

4.6 (3.0)

−0.60

.07

4. How much do you think your treatment can help your illness?

5.4 (2.7)

3.8 (3.0)

1.54

<.001

5. How much do you experience symptoms from your illness?

3.4 (2.1)

2.6 (2.0)

0.83

<.001

6. How concerned are you about your illness?

3.5 (2.2)

2.8 (2.2)

0.72

<.001

7. How well do you feel you understand your illness?

5.0 (2.8)

5.4 (3.0)

−0.42

.2

8. How much does your illness affect you emotionally?

e.g., does it make you angry, scared, upset, or depressed?

3.1 (2.4)

3.1 (2.5)

0.01

.9