Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2025

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

22.6K

The Causal Effects of Anxiety-Mediated Social Support on Death in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Multicenter

Jingjing Yan1, Jing Tian1,2, Hong Yang1

  • 1Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China.

Psychology Research and Behavior Management
|November 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Social support significantly reduces chronic heart failure (CHF) mortality. Mental adjustment, particularly anxiety and appetite-sleep quality, mediates this effect, highlighting the need for targeted psychosocial interventions in vulnerable patient groups.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychosocial Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chronic heart failure (CHF) impacts millions globally, with limited research on its psychosocial dimensions.
  • Understanding the interplay between social support, mental adjustment, and mortality in CHF patients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between social support and mortality in CHF patients.
  • To explore the mediating role of mental adjustment in the relationship between social support and CHF mortality.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter clinical study involving 1552 CHF patients from May 2017 to June 2021.
  • Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) scales assessed physical, psychological, social, and therapeutic domains.
  • Marginal structural models analyzed the association of social support and CHF death, with mental adjustment as a mediator.

Main Results:

  • High and medium social support levels were associated with significant reductions in CHF mortality (46.3% and 45.3%, respectively).
  • Anxiety and appetite-sleep quality mediated the relationship between social support and mortality.
  • Elderly, female, divorced, or widowed patients showed increased vulnerability to anxiety due to inadequate support.
  • Family care and socioeconomic assistance were key factors in reducing mortality risk.

Conclusions:

  • Social support, particularly family care and socioeconomic aid, demonstrably lowers CHF mortality.
  • Inadequate social support increases the risk of mental illness, especially anxiety, in elderly, female, and widowed/divorced CHF patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
chronic heart failuremarginal structural modelmediation analysissocial support

More Related Videos

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats07:57

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

21.1K
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

12.9K

Related Concept Videos

Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
196
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V01:28

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V

A social support system is a structured network of personal relationships that provides assistance to individuals facing various challenges, offering a buffer against psychological and physical stressors. This network may consist of family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or other community members who provide resources and companionship. Social support can take many forms, including advice, emotional comfort, practical help, and companionship. Research indicates that these networks can...
57
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
65
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
1.7K
Social Anxiety Disorder01:28

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
70
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
1.5K