The Correlation between Social Support and Self-care in Patients with Heart Failure: The Mediating Role of Illness Perception

Introduction: Heart failure as a chronic disease is a growing problem in communities. Social support and illness perception are two important factors in the self-care of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between social support and self-care in patients with heart failure by the mediating role of illness perception. Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, 149 heart failure patients in Tabriz, Iran, were selected using the convenience sampling method in 2016. To collect the data, a demographic questionnaire, the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale, Brief illness Perception Questionnaire, and Social Support Scale were used. The validity and reliability had been measured in the previous study. Data were analyzed by the SPSS. 21 and Sobel test. Results: There was a significant correlation between social support and self-care (r = -0.518, P < 0.01). The Sobel test showed the mediating role of illness perception between perceived social support and self-care (Sobel test = -4.73, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Illness perception can be considered as a mediator and also a bridge between social support and self-care. It is suggested that nurses, health psychologists and doctors to consider these variables in primary priorities of self-care education.