Illness-related worries as a mediator among depression, anxiety and self-care in heart failure patients
| Published date | 11 June 2018 |
| Pages | 134-140 |
| Date | 11 June 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-05-2018-0017 |
| Author | Nastaran Mansouriyeh,Hamid Poursharifi,Mohammad Reza Taban Sadeghi,Mohammad Raze Seirafi |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Illness-related worries as a mediator
among depression, anxiety and self-care
in heart failure patients
Nastaran Mansouriyeh, Hamid Poursharifi, Mohammad Reza Taban Sadeghi and
Mohammad Raze Seirafi
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role ofillness-related worries as a mediator among
depression, anxiety and self-care in heart failure (HF) patients was the aim of this study.
Design/methodology/approach –This study was descriptive and correlational study. In total, 149 patients
with HF were selected for sampling in 2016. Patients completed self-care behavior scale, illness-related
worries questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) questionnaires. The Pearson correlation
coefficient and Sobel test were also done.
Findings –According to the analysis of the Sobel test, the role of illness-related worries as a mediator in the
relationship between depression and self-care result was −5.37. Sobel test analysis was done to assess the
role of illness-related worries as mediator between anxiety and self-care (6.66). The correlation between
depression and self-care was 0.488 (po0.01); correlation between anxiety and self-care was 0.4 (p o0.01);
correlation between anxiety and depression was 0.79 (po0.01); and the correlation between illness-related
worries and self-care was 0.71 (po0.01).
Originality/value –Illness-related worries can serve as a mediator in the relationship amongdepression, anxiety
and self-care. There was a significant correlation among the research variables. Therefore, educationalprograms
to reduce depression, anxiety and increase self-care should be given priority to for HF patients.
Keywords Self-care, Anxiety, Depression, Heart failure, Illness-related worries
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Chronic illness such as heart failure (HF) is associated with physical, emotional and lifestyle
changes that often lead to increased psychological problems (Katon et al., 2007). Anxiety and
depression are prevalent in HF patients and reduce the ability of patients to cope with physical
symptoms and compliance with medical treatment(Chapa et al., 2014). The prevalence of anxiety
and depression i n patients with HF i s high (10–60 percent depression; 11–45 percent anxiety)
(Yohannes et al., 2010). Correct self-care researched by recent guidelines for HF and self-care
behavior is thekey to success in order to improvethe outcome of HF patients (Riegelet al., 2009).
Adherenceto self-care behaviors by HF patientsreduces hospitalization(Lainscak et al., 2011) and
mortality (Ditewig et al., 2010); it improves quality of life. Although self-care behaviors are difficult
and complex for many HF patients, they need to learn and practice them.
An individual’s negative emotions about his/her physical, cognitive and behavioral attitudes and
his ability to prognosticate possible incidents and inconveniences of the future are a worry
(Khawaja and Chapman, 2007). Worries of patients with HF resemble those of other patients
with chronic diseases. Life with this illness is a boring, and comes with disability, weakness,
worry and depression (Ryan and Farrelly, 2009). Dyspnea, dizziness, angina pectoris, edema
and ascitesin are various symptoms of HF. These symptoms result in disability in performing
activities, and create problems in areas, such as sexual performance, job duties, family and
The authors would like to thank
all the patients who participated
in this study. This paper is original
and part of a first author PhD
thesis.
Nastaran Mansouriyeh is based
at the Department of
Psychology, Kish International
Branch, Islamic Azad
University, Kish Island, Iran.
Hamid Poursharifi is Associated
Professor at the Department of
Psychology, Kish International
Branch, Islamic Azad
University, Kish Island, Iran.
Mohammad Reza Taban
Sadeghi is Associated
Professor at the Cardiovascular
Research Center, Tabriz
University of Medical Sciences,
Tabriz, Iran.
Mohammad Raze Seirafi is
Assistant Professor at the
Department of Psychology,
Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad
University, Karaj, Iran.
PAGE134
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MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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VOL. 22 NO. 3 2018, pp. 134-140, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-05-2018-0017
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