Impact of Teaching Social Problem-Solving Skills on Quality of Life of Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: Congestive heart failure is common in the world, and most patients with this disease have low quality of life. One of the factors affecting the quality of life is mental disorders. Therefore, teaching social problem-solving skills can play an effective role in improving the quality of life (QOL). Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of social problem-solving skills on QOL among congestive heart failure patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 patients randomly assigned to control (n = 10) and experimental groups (n = 10). The groups consisted of patients with congestive heart failure (left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45%). The experimental group received 10 one-hour sessions on social problem-solving skills. The QOL questionnaire (SF-36) was completed before, immediately, and 3 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 23) and independent and paired t-tests, as well as an analysis of covariance. Results: There was a significant difference between the QOL scores in the experimental group compared to the pre-test (P = 0.006) and follow-up (P = 0.035) (pre-test = 51.4 ± 10.5, post-test = 59.8 ± 6.6, follow-up = 55.8 ± 7.1). However, there was no significant change in the QOL scores through different stages in the control group (P > 0.05) (pre-test = 51.2 ± 10.7, post-test = 52.3 ± 10.1, follow-up = 51.3 ± 8.9). Conclusions: Teaching social problem-solving can be effective in improving the QOL in patients with congestive heart failure.