This study examined the relationship between self-care adherence, time perspective (TP), readiness to change (RTC) and executive function in heart failure (HF) self-care. 147 heart failure patients completed questionnaires on self-care, TP, RTC; and cognitive tasks that reflect working memory and inhibition. Positive correlation was found between self-care, future-oriented TP (r = 0.362, P = 0.01), RTC (r = 0.184, P = 0.05) and working memory (r = 0.174, P = 0.01). Mediation analysis elucidated the indirect effect of RTC on self-care through TP (B = 1.205, bias-corrected bootstrapped at 95% confidence interval 0.532, 2.145) explaining 62.0% of the total effect. Working memory did not moderate this relationship and inhibition did not predict self-care. Self-care scores were lower than cut-off of 70 (mean = 51.2, standard deviation = 17.2). Age (r = - 0.220), staying alone (r = - 0.270) income < 1000 (r = - 0.270) and not having formal education (r = - 0.165) were correlated with TP. Healthcare professionals could motivate HF patients to perform regular self-care behaviours by tailoring interventions according to their TP and RTC.
Keywords: Executive function; Heart failure; Self-care; Self-management; Self-regulation; Time perspective.