Abstract

An estimated 4.8 million Americans have congestive heart failure (CHF). Increasing prevalence, hospitalizations, and deaths have made CHF a major disease affecting elders in the United States. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to determine if correlations existed among depression, self-efficacy, and adherence behaviors of elders with CHF. Three null hypotheses guided the study: H^^, There is no correlation between depression and adherence behaviors in elders living with CHF. H^^, There is no correlation between self efficacy and adherence behaviors in elders living with CHF. Hq3 , There is no correlation between depression and self-efficacy in elders living with CHF. Becker's Health Belief Model provided the theoretical framework for the study. A convenience sample was taken from cardiology clinics in south central Mississippi. Data were collected using Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Subscale, and a researcher-designed adherence survey. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's r were used in analysis of data. No significant relationship was detected between depression or self-efficacy and adherence behaviors in elders with CHF. However, a significant inverse relationship was found between depression and self-efficacy. Additional findings revealed that elders who could move about independently at home experienced fewer symptoms of depression and higher levels of self-efficacy. Finally, the researcher found fewer symptoms of depression in elders who exercised regularly. Implications for nursing science included the need to screen elders with CHF for depression and functional status. Recommendations for future study included enlarging the target population, examining causal relationships among variables, and qualitatively exploring additional modifiers to adherence behaviors in elders with CHF.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-2000

Publication Number

27919818

First Advisor

Lorraine Hamm

Second Advisor

Dr. Mary Patricia Curtis

Third Advisor

Suzanne Bennett

Document Type

Thesis

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