Factors influencing self‐care behaviour in patients with heart failure: Grit as a behavioural support factor

Abstract

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to examine the relationship between heart failure knowledge, self‐efficacy, social support, grit and self‐care behaviour in patients with heart failure and to identify factors associated with patients' self‐care behaviour.BackgroundMost patients with heart failure are not as active in implementing self‐care behavioural practices as recommended by the guidelines.DesignThis descriptive cross‐sectional study was designed based on Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory.MethodsThis study included 138 patients who were diagnosed with heart failure in an outpatient department of cardiology at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Data were collected between July and October 2020 using a structured questionnaire and electronic medical records. Data were analysed using the SPSS/WIN 27.0 program.ResultsGrit had the strongest association with self‐care behaviour among patients with heart failure, followed by social support, self‐efficacy and heart failure knowledge. These variables accounted for approximately 52% of the variance in self‐care behaviour.ConclusionsHealth‐care professionals should assess patients' grit and develop patient‐tailored grit enhancement programmes. Based on the social cognitive theory, nursing intervention programmes that can simultaneously manage cognitive (knowledge and self‐efficacy), social and environmental (social support) and behavioural support (grit) factors should be developed and applied to nursing practices to promote self‐care.