Path analysis of self-concept and depression on self-care in patients with chronic heart failure

Objective To explore the role of depression as a moderator of self-concept on self-care behaviors in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF). Methods A sample of 160 in-patients with CHF were recruited from a cardiovascular hospital in Beijing.Data were collected by self-report questionnaires assessing self-care behaviors, self-concept and depression.Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 17.0 software was used to conduct the path analyses. Results Body sensation, self-consistency, self-ideal, moral-ethical-spiritual self and depression revealed direct effects on self-care behavior.Body sensation, self-ideal, moral-ethical-spiritual self affected self-care indirectly via depression.These paths' total coefficients were 0.09, 0.15, 0.31, 0.09 and -0.26, respectively. Conclusion Self-care behaviors are directly affected by self-concept and depression.Depression has a greater moderating effect on these relationships.The findings provide a theoretical basis to direct the development of interventions for improving self-care in individuals with heart failure. Key words: Heart failure; Self-concept; Depression; Self-care; Path analysis