Illness perceptions and self-care behaviors among Chinese hospitalized adults with heart failure

Illness perceptions, which are representations of illness or health threats formed in response to situational stimuli, are considered one of the most significant predictors of self-care behaviors. However, there is limited evidence regarding the relationships between illness perceptions and self-care behaviors among individuals with heart failure (HF).

To explore the relationships between illness perceptions and self-care behaviors among Chinese people with HF.

This is a secondary analysis of baseline data from an intervention program that has received ethical approval and obtained informed consent from all participants. People with HF were recruited from a tertiary hospital in China between February and May 2023. All the participants were assessed for illness perceptions, self-care behaviors, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were employed to examine the effect of illness perceptions on self-care behaviors.

A total of 164 people with HF were included in the study. Illness perceptions (β = -0.215, p = 0.002), educational level (β = 0.186, p = 0.010), employment status (β = 0.188, p = 0.033), and time since diagnosis (β = 0.367, p < 0.001) were identified as significant predictors of self-care maintenance. We also found that illness perceptions (β = -0.208, p = 0.002), educational level (β = 0.187, p = 0.009), employment status (β = 0.223, p = 0.002), and time since diagnosis (β = 0.375, p < 0.001) significantly affected symptom perception. Additionally, illness perceptions (β = -0.399, p < 0.001), educational level (β = 0.213, p = 0.003), and time since diagnosis (β = 0.142, p = 0.039) predicted self-care management.

Illness perceptions are key factors for HF self-care behaviors. Interventions aimed at enhancing illness perceptions may lead to better self-care behaviors.