Factors influencing self-management among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders in China: A cross-sectional study

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Self-management comprises five core skills: "Problem Solving, Decision-Making, Resource Utilization, Forming a Patient/Healthcare Provider Partnership and Taking Action." Effective self-management among patients diagnosed with anxiety can reduce the number of relapses and improve treatment outcomes. Knowledge of the impact of the family atmosphere, well-being and illness symptoms on self-management in patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders is limited. WHAT DOES THE PAPER ADD TO THE EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This is the first study in China to explore whether family atmosphere and well-being of patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders affects self-management. This paper adds to the list of factors influencing self-management among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders. SAS scores are a major factor influencing self-management among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders. The subjective well-being of patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders can influence their self-management behaviour. Patients who experienced family harmony had significantly higher self-management scores than those who experienced family disharmony. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Nurses should encourage patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders to manage their condition while receiving treatment at home. Nurses should focus on patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders who have significant anxiety symptoms and low well-being. Nurses should emphasize the importance of the home environment in family self-management and affirm that a good home environment promotes patient self-management.

INTRODUCTION: Better self-management can improve treatment outcomes and reduce the number of relapses for patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders. However, the impact of well-being and the home environment on self-management among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders is unclear in China.

This study sought to determine the impact of the home environment, well-being and illness symptoms on self-management during home treatment for patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Data were collected with SAS, Self-Management Scale for People with Anxiety Disorders and Index of Well-being. Frequency, percentage, analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis and multiple linear regression analyses were used.

Home environment (p < .001), self-perceived quality of life (p = .015), well-being index (p = .002) and SAS total score (p = .033) had a major impact on self-management in patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders (n = 245).

Family disharmony, poor self-perceived quality of life, high SAS scores and low levels of well-being were significant influences on self-management among people diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

Nurses should focus on the self-management of patients diagnosed with significant anxiety symptoms and low well-being and value the importance of the home environment in facilitating self-management among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders.