Perceptions Of Social Support Research Articles

The moderating role of perceived social support in relationship between workplace violence with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among nurses in Karbala

Introduction: The presence of violence in workplace is a threatening factor for nurses’ psychological health. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the moderating role of the perceived social support in relationship between workplace violence (physical, Verbal and sexual harassment) with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders symptoms) PTSD( among nurses in Karbala city, Iraq.
 Materials and Methods: Research method was descriptive correlation that is used in hierarchical regression analysis. The statistical population of the research included all the hospital nurses of the city of Karbala in Iraq in summer 2023, which among them, 349 nurses were selected by convenience sampling method. The data were collected using the violence in workplace questionnaire, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders symptoms checklist and perceived social support questionnaire. To analyze data, Pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression analysis statistical tests were used by SPSS software, 26 version.
 Results: The results revealed that the perceived social support moderates the relationship between the violence in workplace (physical, verbal and sexual harassment) with post-traumatic stress symptoms (p<0.01). This means that, when the perceived social support is low, the hostility at workplace (physical, verbal and sexual harassment) has a stronger relationship with post-traumatic stress symptoms (p<0.01).
 Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the perceived social support in necessary variable to prevent the destructive effects of violence in nurses' work settings. Therefore, due to the role and importance of perception of social support among nurses, attention to this important finding should be taken into consideration by managers and policy makers of healthcare organizations.

The effect of social support on attitudes towards inclusive education and self‐efficacy among pre‐service special education teachers in Egypt

AbstractThe primary socializing agents have been found to play a key role in shaping teachers' attitudes. In the realm of inclusive education (IE), one of the most extensively researched themes is teachers' attitudes regarding inclusion. Contrary to a plethora of attitudinal studies that are solely concentrating on describing teacher attitudes, the present study sought to investigate the perceived social support (PSS) perceptions of pre‐service special education teachers in terms of their attitudes towards inclusive education and their self‐efficacy beliefs (TSE). The population of this correlational research design study consists of 525 pre‐service special education teachers from six different colleges of education in Egypt's northern, central and southern big cities. Using a correlation technique and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, the research data were analysed. The findings revealed that the PSS scales' sub‐dimensions indicate having a significant and positive relationship with TSE as well as attitudes towards IE. In addition, research revealed that pre‐service special education teachers' PSS significantly predicted their TSE beliefs and attitudes towards IE. The study's findings reflect crucial implications for teacher education policymakers in addressing pre‐service teachers' needs of professional learning programmes that should include a career development stage targeted at generating socially supportive role models.

College music students during COVID-19: Examining the moderating effect of access to resources and stability of living on the relationship between perceived social support and mental health

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and general mental health in collegiate music students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, perception of access to academic resources and stability of living was analyzed as a moderator in the relationship between PSS and general mental health. Participants completed a survey that included the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and questions adapted from the “access to necessary resources” and “stability of living” section of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) COVID Survey. In the final sample, PSS explained a statistically significant amount of the variance in general mental health. Moderation analysis was conducted using PSS as the predictor variable, mental health as the criterion variable, and access to resources and stability of living as a composite variable as the moderator. The interaction between PSS and the composite variable was statistically significant. Access to resources and stability of living proved a positive moderator between PSS and general mental health. PSS positively predicted general mental health in collegiate music students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, access to resources and stability of living (composite variable) were positive moderators, with a higher perception of both creating a stronger positive relationship between PSS and general mental health.

Through the Lenses of Sexual Minorities in the Indian LGBTQ + Community: Perception of Social Equality and Community Support

Whether in the form of same-sex attraction or love, the history of same-sex relationships has been well documented in every culture across the globe. In India, evidence of the same can be found on the monolithic sculptures of the Vishvanath Temple in Khajuraho and texts like Mahabharata and Sushrata Samahita. The acceptance and openness enjoyed by the non-hetero-normative and non-cis-gender individuals in ancient India, changed after the nation’s colonization. In current times, mainstream society holds heterosexual intercourse as the norm while considering same-sex relationships as deviations. Same sex relationships are a highly stigmatized and garner objections from several religious and political sects. This social stigma and erasure becomes harsher when directed toward individuals with polysexual or asexual orientations. The lack of awareness and representations garners bisexuals, pansexuals and asexuals the status of sexual minorities within the LGBTQ + community. This study makes use of three focus group discussions to explore the perception of each sexual minority regarding social equality within the Indian LGBTQ + community and outside it, alongside trying to understand the community support received by the sexual minorities in the Indian LGBTQ + community. The study uses inductive thematic analysis to draw out themes. The results indicate a predominant feeling of being misunderstood, exploited, fetishized and alienated even within the LGBTQ + community while finding solace in their own sub-communities and the online community. The results also reveal feelings expectations held by individuals from each sexual minority in terms of their desired place in society.

Comparing National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Athletes’ Perceptions of Social Support Following Injury, Illness, and Other Identified Stressors

Collegiate athletes have demonstrated a need for social support to help cope with their daily responsibilities. The purpose of this research was to explore National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II athletes’ perception of social support from friends, teammates, family, coaches, significant others, and athletic trainers following injury, illness, or other identified life stressors. There were 546 participants who completed a five-part survey using the University Stress Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Athletic Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Perceived Stress Scale, and a demographic section. Of the participants, 352 (64.5%) stated that they experienced moderate stress levels, and all participants indicated experiencing an identified life stressor within the last 12 months. The results indicated statistically significant differences when comparing providers of social support: females preferred the support of friends, significant others, and athletic trainers, and freshmen and sophomores perceived more social support from friends than did juniors and seniors.

The Effect of Social Media Forwarding on Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Model.

In the intersection of the aging and information era, the development of digital aging significantly influences the well-being of older individuals. Given the divergent findings in various studies exploring the effects of social media use on mental health, this study specifically examined the impact of forwarding, a prevalent social media behavior among older individuals, focusing on the effects of use intensity on their subjective well-being (SWB) and the specific mechanisms involved. A total of 323 Chinese older adults completed the questionnaire. SPSS along with Hayes Process Models 4 and 7 was employed to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that social media forwarding intensity significantly and positively predicted SWB of older adults. This association was partially mediated by perceived social support (PSS) and self-esteem. Gender served as a moderator, highlighting that the positive predictive effects of forwarding intensity on PSS and self-esteem were more pronounced for older men than for older women. Further, the findings confirmed the existence of the moderated mediating effect such that the impact of forwarding on SWB was mediated through both PSS and self-esteem for older men, while, for older women, it was solely mediated by PSS. This study revealed the positive impact of forwarding, a user-friendly social media function, on the well-being of older adults and elucidated the specific mechanisms through a moderated mediation model. In light of these findings, we propose customizing the development of age-friendly social media functions to address the diverse psychological needs of older adults, taking into account gender differences. These findings may offer valuable insights for constructing digital age-friendly platforms and fostering active aging development.

Associations between maternal perceptions of social support and adolescent weight status: A longitudinal analysis

Social support is a well-established predictor of improved physical health outcomes among adults. Establishing whether maternal social support may have an inter-generational positive impact on their child's physical health will provide important information for developing potential interventions and policies. Elevated body mass index (BMI) is one indicator of child health that is linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and other morbidities later in life. There is some evidence that maternal social support is associated with improved child and adolescent weight status; however, no studies have examined whether specific aspects of social support are more impactful than others or whether support availability is differentially impactful across developmental stages. The present study examined whether maternal perceptions of specific types of social support (i.e., financial support, non-monetary instrumental support, partner emotional support, and having a close supportive contact) were associated with lower adolescent BMI z-scores using longitudinal data collected over a 15-year period from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 3146), which includes a high proportion of families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Findings from linear regression models using specific types of social support measured across six waves of data collected over a 15-year period indicated that maternal perceptions of greater financial support were associated with lower adolescent BMI z-scores at 15 years (B = −0.05, 95% CI: −0.10, −0.004, P = 0.04), while the other types of support were not. Additional timing analyses demonstrated that perceived financial support during late childhood to adolescence was associated with lower adolescent BMI z-scores (B = −0.06, 95% CI: −0.11, −0.01, P = 0.01), whereas associations between support during infancy and early childhood were not detected. Study findings provide important insights for developing interventions and policies that improve maternal social supports to benefit child health.

Relationship among post-traumatic growth, spiritual well-being, and perceived social support in Chinese women with gynecological cancer

This study aimed to examine the correlation between post-traumatic growth (PTG), spiritual well-being (SWB), perceived social support (PSS), and demographic and clinical factors in Chinese gynecological cancer patients. Through convenience sampling, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 771 adult patients with gynecological cancer. The European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Spiritual Well-being 32 (EORTC QLQ-SWB32), Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to measure SWB, PTG, and PSS. A Multiple Linear Regression Model was used to determine the possible factors contributing to PTG. The subscale with the highest centesimal score in the PTGI was the Appreciation of Life Scale, and the lowest was New Possibility. Gynecologic cancer patients with younger ages (B = − 0.313, P = 0.002), perceived more family support (B = 1.289, P < 0.001), had more existential (B = 0.865, P = 0.010), and had religious belief (B = 5.760, P = 0.034) may have more PTG. Spiritual well-being, perceived social support, younger age, and religious beliefs are associated with post-traumatic growth in gynecological cancer patients. Healthcare staff could provide more professional support to younger patients with religious beliefs. Promoting social support and spiritual well-being could potentially serve as effective interventions for boosting PTG among gynecological cancer.

Effect of sleep disordered breathing severity in children with Down syndrome on parental wellbeing and social support

IntroductionSleep disorders, particularly sleep disordered breathing (SDB), are common in children with Down syndrome (DS). We investigated the relationship between SDB severity and parental psychological wellbeing and their perception of social support. Methods44 children with DS (3–19 years) underwent overnight polysomnography and were categorised into three groups: primary snoring, Mild and Moderate/Severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Parents completed questionnaires about their child's behaviour (Child Behavior Checklist), sleep symptoms (Pediatric Sleep Survey Instrument) and SDB-related quality of life (OSA-18), together with the DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support (DUKE) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) questionnaires for themselves. 34 children completed a follow-up study after 2 years. ResultsThere were no significant differences between SDB severity groups for parental perceived social support or psychological wellbeing. Total scores on the DUKE were below average and PGWBI scores were indicative of moderate psychological distress in all three groups. Reduced perceived levels of social support were significantly correlated with externalising child behaviour and sleep disturbance. Diminished parental psychological wellbeing was also significantly correlated with increased sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life in children. At follow-up there were no significant changes in any questionnaire outcome, however parents of children with improved SDB severity had improved PGWBI vitality scores. ConclusionThe degree of parent-reported sleep disturbance in children with DS was linked to suboptimal perceived parental social support and poor psychological wellbeing. Our results emphasise the need for enhanced awareness of the detrimental effects of sleep problems in children with DS on parental wellbeing.

Social support mediates the effects of childhood unpredictability on anhedonia: A retrospective investigation in an online adult community sample

Increasingly, research is highlighting the implications of exposure to unpredictable environments during childhood (i.e., “childhood unpredictability”) on outcomes in adulthood. Converging evidence from preclinical and clinical studies has implicated childhood unpredictability in disrupted reward processing and anhedonia. From the stress generation literature, altered social support has emerged as a possible mechanism by which this effect may occur. In the current study, our goal was to understand whether the pathway from childhood unpredictability to anhedonia occurs through reduced perceptions of social support. Toward this end, we recruited an online community sample of adults in the US (N = 242) to complete surveys assessing childhood unpredictability, depressive symptoms, anhedonia, and social support, as well as a novel online version of the Probabilistic Reward Task. We found that childhood unpredictability was associated with increased depressive symptoms and anhedonia (but not objective measure of anhedonia), and reduced perceptions of social support in adulthood. Mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of perceived social support on the association between childhood unpredictability and anhedonia, controlling for age, sex, and non-anhedonic depressive symptoms. Unexpectedly, measures of reward responsiveness from the behavioral task were not related to childhood unpredictability. The current findings replicate previous reports linking childhood unpredictability and self-reported anhedonia, and extend them to incorporate the potential mediating pathway of reduced social support. Implications for treatment for anhedonia are discussed.

Social Support and selected preventable lifestyle Determinants in People with vertebrogenic Difficulties

Introduction: Up to 80% of the population has encountered back pain in some form in their life. Back pain is among the 5 most common reasons for hospitalization and is the main cause of sick leave for people over 45 years of age. This has significant consequences for the entire society. Research aim and objectives: Our research included patients of the National Rehabilitation Center Kováčová who were undergoing active rehabilitation treatment due to vertebrogenic problems. All respondents had demonstrable structural changes in the area of the lumbar spine, and around 80% of respondents had already undergone one or more lumbar spine surgeries. Our goal was to determine the relationship between the mentioned difficulties and physical activity, weight as well as the perception of social support. Methods: We used a self-constructed questionnaire focused on selected socio-demographic data and identification of eating and exercise habits. In addition, we used a standardized questionnaire titled “the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support”. Results: The analysis confirms that overweight, obesity and a lack of physical activity are related to structural changes and increased persistence of back pain. Inadequate dietary measures and insufficient physical activity directly contribute to this. Social support has a positive effect on enduring and coping with this difficult situation. Conclusion: Back pain affects almost our entire population. Therefore, it is important to address this issue, especially if prevention is possible by optimizing weight and doing adequate physical activity. We must also not forget those who are going through a difficult life period due to long-term pain and give them a helping hand and support.

Perceived social support mediates the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on job adaptation disorders of workers: An exploratory cross-sectional study.

COVID-19 lockdown can lead to job adaptation disorders, which are heterogeneous among individuals. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between perceived social support and job adaptation disorders among workers in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaires of Psychological Questionnaire for Public Health Emergencies, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Work Attitude Scale were used for this cross-section study via an online survey. The study included 626 employees. Hierarchical regression analysis and Bootstrap method were used to investigate the mediation effect of perceived social support between the emergency and job adaptation disorders. The percentages of the 5 dimensions of depression, neurasthenia, fear, compulsion-anxiety, and hypochondria in workers were 59.7%, 56.1%, 92.3%, 42.0%, and 18.7%, respectively. Social support mediated the relationship between depression, neurasthenia, obsessive-compulsive anxiety and job adaptation disorder, accounting for 18.1%, 16.1%, and 17.5% of the total effect (ab/c), respectively. Perceived social support could alleviate COVID-19 pandemic-related depression, neurasthenia, compulsion-anxiety, and job adaptation disorder in Chinese workers. Improving their perception of social support, workers may better adapt themselves to work in the challenging of the public health emergency during COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of an Online Intervention on Nursing Students' Alcohol Consumption and Social Support.

This research aimed to evaluate the impact of custom-developed software on nursing students' alcohol consumption and perception of social support. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 88 students in the early years of nursing courses at a Brazilian public university. The members of the intervention group (n = 40) participated in a lecture delivered by a nurse and used online software developed based on cognitive behavioral techniques and social skills training. The members of the control group (n = 48) participated only in the lecture. Data on alcohol consumption profiles and social support characteristics were collected. Descriptive statistics, an analysis of variance test, and the Dunnett's test were utilized for data analysis. Alcohol consumption decreased in both groups without significant differences between them. However, in terms of frequency of use, binge drinking, and the number of drinks consumed, a significant decrease occurred among participants in the intervention group. Regarding social support, both groups showed an increase in satisfaction with support and a decrease in the number of supporters. This reduction was less pronounced in the intervention group than in the control group. This investigation presents relevant results that suggest the potential of using online technologies as supplemental materials for promoting students' mental health.

Supporting Underserved Communities for Health Care: US Immigrants’ Experiences with Social Support

Background Social support is associated with improved clinical outcomes but is understudied among US immigrants. We examined two types of social support, perceived health provider support and community support, and characterized perceptions of social support among US immigrants compared with nonimmigrants. Methods We conducted cross-sectional data analysis on self-reported data from Health Information National Trends Survey 5, Cycle 2. Population-level estimates were obtained using jack-knife replicate weights. Results Immigrant status was not associated with perceived health care provider support or community support. However, compared with nonimmigrants, US immigrants were more likely to report rarely (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.07) or never (aOR=3.18) having access to emotional support. Conclusions Further research that incorporates nuanced factors (eg, time since arrival) that may influence social support in diverse US immigrant groups is needed to determine the impact of social support on health outcomes in an underserved and often overlooked population.

Well-being among parents of youth with multiple sclerosis: a preliminary longitudinal study.

In 2021, the annual rate of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) in Israel among children was 1.5, and 4.5% among youth aged 14-18, out of a total of 5,000 multiple sclerosis cases nationwide. Children diagnosed with POMS often display various deficiencies across psychological, cognitive, sensory, and physical areas. As such, POMS poses significant challenges for parents' well-being, with heightened emotional, financial, and physical strains linked to both the immediate and long-term care requirements of their children. In this preliminary study, we examined changes over three time-points in two measures of well-being: satisfaction with life and psychological distress. In addition, the role of perceived social support (PSS) and coping flexibility was examined through a multilevel causal mediation model which suggested that PSS 1 month post-diagnosis would predict coping flexibility at 6 months post-diagnosis, which in turn would predict parents' life satisfaction and psychological distress at 12 months post-diagnosis. The research was conducted at a tertiary university-affiliated children's hospital in central Israel. Preliminary data were obtained from 36 parents at three times-points. Participants provided demographic information and filled out the following standardized self-report questionnaires: the Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale, Kessler's inventory for measuring psychological distress (K6), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Perceived Ability to Cope with Trauma Scale (PACT) for measuring coping flexibility. Over time (12 months), parents reported stable levels of PSS, coping flexibility, satisfaction with life, and psychological distress. In addition, mothers reported significantly greater PSS from friends than did fathers. Regarding the causal mediation model, greater PSS from friends at T1 was significantly associated with an increase in coping flexibility from T1 to T2. In turn, an increase in coping flexibility was associated with a decrease in psychological distress from T1 to T3 (after controlling for PSS). Yet the causal mediation path via coping flexibility to satisfaction with life was not significant. This preliminary study emphasizes the important role of both PSS and coping flexibility for the well-being of parents whose children are affected by POMS, a subject that merits heightened consideration among healthcare professionals dealing with long-term chronic diseases.

Adolescent Quality of Life: Unraveling the Impact of Social Skills and Perceived Social Support

Adolescence is a critical developmental phase, where social interactions profoundly influence well-being. Understanding how social skills and perceived support shape adolescent quality of life is vital for comprehensive mental health initiatives. Current research aims to elucidate the intricate interplay between these factors to enhance support strategies and improve overall adolescent well-being. Involving 500 adolescents of both genders, this cross-sectional study utilized purposive sampling. Data collection employed a self-designed demographic sheet and standardized scales (MPSS, Social Skills scales by Ronaldo Rigii, WHO-QOL). Employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including normality tests, correlation coefficients, T-tests, and regression analysis, the study uncovered a strong positive correlation (r = .513, p &lt; 0.01) between perceived social support and Quality of Life. Additionally, a robust positive correlation (r = .61, p &lt; 0.01) was found between perceived social support and social skills, indicating their interconnectedness in enhancing life satisfaction. The study reveals that perceived social support (PSS) significantly predicts both quality of life and social skills among participants. It emphasizes that higher perceived social support levels strongly relate to better quality of life. Additionally, gender doesn't appear to impact perceived social support levels in the studied population. In light of these findings, it is recommended that future studies focus on developing and implementing strategies that leverage the identified mechanisms, offering practical pathways to enhance individuals' lives. Moreover, current research is a call to action for researchers to prioritize investigations into the specific mediating factors that link perceived social support, quality of life, and social skills, providing a foundation for targeted interventions aimed at improving overall well-being.

Attachment expectations moderate links between social support and maternal adjustment from 6 to 18 months postpartum.

Significant links exist between one's perception of available social support and mental health outcomes, including during the transition to motherhood. Yet, attachment theory posits that individuals do not benefit equally from social support. As such, we examined the influence of attachment representations (i.e., secure base script knowledge) as they potentially moderate links between social support and psychological distress in a 1-year longitudinal study of an ethnically diverse (56% White) sample of infant-mother dyads. We hypothesized that higher social support would predict lower maternal psychological distress and this relation would be strongest in those with higher secure base script knowledge. Results indicated that maternal perceptions of social support were significantly negatively correlated with psychological distress. Analyses revealed that secure base script scores significantly moderated these associations. Interestingly, for those high in script knowledge, low social support predicted greater psychological distress. For those low in script knowledge, social support was unrelated to psychological distress. This pattern suggested that those who expect care (i.e., high secure base script knowledge) but receive minimal support (i.e., low perceived social support) find motherhood uniquely dysregulating. Practitioners may do well to examine individuals' attachment expectations in relation to their current social support.

New Public Management in A Pluralistic Society Perception of Gender Equity, Social Support, and Happiness: A Case Study of China Xiamen Donghai University

New Public Management in A Pluralistic Society Perception of Gender Equity, Social Support, and Happiness: A Case Study of China Xiamen Donghai University

Covid-19 Sürecinde Ergenlik Dönemindeki Bireylerin Algıladıkları Sosyal Destek Düzeyi ve Mutluluk Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi

Bu çalışmada Covid-19 sürecinde ergenlik dönemindeki bireylerin algıladıkları sosyal destek düzeyi ve mutluluk düzeylerinin çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Tarama modelinde betimsel olan bu araştırmada veri toplama araçlarından “Ergen Mutluluk Ölçeği Kısa Formu (EMÖ)” ve “Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği-R(ASDÖ-R)” kullanılmıştır. Bu kapsamda Gaziantep ilinin merkez ilçelerindeki farklı lise türlerinde eğitim gören 1184 öğrenciye ulaşılmıştır. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek için “t-testi”, “tek yönlü Varyans Analizi” ve “çoklu regresyon” analizleri uygulanmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre; Covıd-19 sürecinde ergenlik dönemindeki bireylerin algıladıkları sosyal destek ve mutluluk düzeylerinde; cinsiyet, okul türü, sınıf düzeyi, anne-baba ilişki durumu, sosyal güvence durumu, anne-baba genel tutumu, yaşamını geçirdiği yerleşim yeri, anne öğrenim durumu ve baba öğrenim durumu değişkenlerine göre anlamlı farklılıklar olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ek olarak; cinsiyete göre aileden ASD (Algılanan Sosyal Destek), okul türüne göre öğretmen ve arkadaştan ASD, ebeveyn ilişki durumuna göre arkadaştan ASD, yerleşim yerine göre aileden ve öğretmenden ASD, baba öğrenim durumuna göre öğretmen ve aileden ASD ile anne öğrenim durumuna göre algılanan sosyal desteğin hiçbir boyutunda anlamlı bir farklılaşma bulunmamıştır. Ergenlerin mutluluk düzeyinin %17’sinin algılanan sosyal destekle açıklandığı bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçları tartışma ve sonuç bölümünde açıklanarak değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular ilgili literatür verileri ışığında tartışılmış ve önerilerde bulunulmuştur.

Quality of life among patients with chronic heart failure in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam

Background This study aimed to assess the quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure (HF) to improve their treatment and care. Methods This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life of 89 patients suffering from chronic heart failure and was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). In addition, the presence of depressive symptoms and perception of social support were also assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results Of the 89 HF patients, 53.9% were female and 46.1% were male. The mean age of 89 patients was 62.28±13.26 years old, of which 64% were 60 years old and older. The mean time that patients lived with HF was 8.49±4.59 years. The overall Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire mean score was high at 67.19±13.31 points. Regarding personal characteristics, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores were significantly higher in women vs men, widowed/divorced vs being married patients, and patients living alone vs living with family detailed (67.52±11.80 vs 66.80±15.02; p=0.032), (67.58±11.62 vs 65.27±20.11; p=0.000), and (73.3±14.95 vs 66.50±13.04; p=0.014), respectively. Regarding heart failure associated features, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores were significantly higher in patients living with longer heart failure, in more severity of Beck Depression Inventory-II, and lower levels of social support (all p-values of 0.000). Conclusions The results of the study showed a poor quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure and raised concerns about improving the patients’ quality of life.