Influence of Physical and Psychological Symptoms on Exercise Adherence in Patients with Heart Failure: Focused on the Mediating Effects of Self-efficacy

Jin, Hyekyung; Kim, Jong Hyun; Kim, Minju

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to examine the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the relationship of physical and psychological symptoms to exercise adherence in patients with heart failure.
METHODS
The participants in this study were 186 patients with heart failure in two hospitals located in Busan. The measures included questions about general and disease characteristics, physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, self-efficacy for exercise, and exercise adherence. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, simple and multiple regression using Baron and Kenny steps for mediation.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in age, gender and comorbidity on exercise adherence. There were also significant correlations among physical and psychological symptoms, self-efficacy for exercise, and exercise adherence. Self-efficacy for exercise showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between physical symptoms and exercise adherence.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of this study, the enhancement of self-efficacy for exercise may positively affect the exercise compliance of the patients with health failure, even while they are experiencing physical symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective strategies to enhance self-efficacy for exercise.