Factors associated with depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure

Home Healthc Nurse. 2014 Oct;32(9):550-5. doi: 10.1097/NHH.0000000000000140.

Abstract

Home healthcare clinicians commonly provide care for individuals with heart failure (HF). Certain factors may influence the development of depressive symptoms in those with HF. This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational pilot study (N = 50) examined interrelationships among HF symptoms, social support (actual and perceived), social problem-solving, and depressive symptoms. Findings indicated that increased HF symptoms were related to more depressive symptoms, whereas higher levels of social support were related to fewer depressive symptoms. The use of more maladaptive problem-solving strategies was also associated with more depressive symptoms. Study results have implications for home healthcare clinicians providing care for individuals with HF, indicating a need for programs that strengthen coping skills and resources (i.e., social support and problem solving) in an effort to decrease the risk of developing depressive symptomatology.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Depression / therapy
  • Heart Failure / complications
  • Heart Failure / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Pilot Projects
  • Self Care / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires