Factors associated with participation in a mitral valve prolapse support group

Purpose The goal of this study was to explore factors that may influence attendance at a mitral valve prolapse (MVP) support group.Design The study design was nonexperimental and descriptive.Method The MVP Support Group Questionnaire was mailed to 18 MVP support group leaders and to 700 persons in whom MVP had been diagnosed.Findings Three hundred seventy-six questionnaires were analyzed. Data demonstrate that persons more likely to participate in an MVP support group are those who are older (>50 years of age) and those who belong to other self-help groups. The most important reason for attending these support groups was to obtain more information about MVP.Conclusions Data suggest that MVP support groups are needed to provide support and information to people with MVP syndrome-information that is not normally available from family, friends, and physicians.