This paper reviews the literature on the stresses and coping strategies of spouses of patients with myocardial infarction (MI). It attempts to identify specific problem areas of adjustment for the spouse and to explore the effects of spousal adjustment on patient recovery. Chapter one provides an overview of the importance in examining the psychosocial adjustment of the spouse of a patient with MI. Chapter two, the literature review, is divided into seven subheadings: an introduction to the literature, reactions of spouses to the MI, effects of the MI on the marital relationship, the spouse's need, spousal coping methods, spousal influence on compliance, and a summary. Chapter three presents a summary of the purpose of the paper, followed by a discussion of the literature, conclusions, limitations of the literature reviewed, and recommendations for both further research and clinical applications. The literature reviewed suggests specific emotional symptoms experienced by wives of patients, including depression, anxiety, guilt, fear, worry, helplessness, loneliness, panic, fatigue, and irritability; specific somatic symptoms such as sleep and appetite disturbance, chest pain, inability to concentrate, tearfulness, palpitations, headaches, stomach pain, and faintness; and specific psychosocial needs, including the need to be included in treatment planning, the need for practical support (child care, transportation), and the need for emotional support. (NB)