Hayley C. Fivecoat|Steven L. Sayers|Bárbara Riegel
Social support predicts self-care confidence in patients with heart failure
Philadelphia VA Medical Center|University of Pennsylvania|Philadelphia VA Medical Center|University of Pennsylvania|University of Pennsylvania
background selfcare patients heart failure includes engaging behaviours maintain medical stability manage problematic symptoms well confidence ones ability carry behaviours given social context selfcare behaviours heart failure increasing interest social support predictor selfcare aim goal present study examine role social support selfcare across time persons heart failure methods using data observational study patients chronic heart failure n 280 examined role three types support instrumental support emotional support assistance selfcare longitudinal course selfcare maintenance management confidence selfreport questionnaire data collected baseline three six months later results found instrumental emotional support predicted better selfcare confidence average selfcare confidence improved faster rate less instrumental support emotional support positively associated selfcare management selfcare confidence assistance selfcare positively associated selfcare maintenance conclusion findings highlight contribution social support selfcare heart failure provide guidance future familybased interventions improve selfcare