1- Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
2- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
3- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
4- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran , ammotalebi@yahoo.com
Abstract: (30 Views)
Objective: Older adults with cardiovascular diseases frequently experience psychological challenges, including death anxiety. Self-care, as a key strategy in chronic disease management, can significantly influence mental health, either positively or negatively. Given the importance of self-compassion and the lack of research on its mediating role in elderly individuals with cardiovascular diseases, the present study was designed and conducted to determine the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between self-care and death anxiety among older patients with coronary artery disease.
Method: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 310 older patients with coronary artery disease in 2024. Sampling was conducted among older patients with coronary artery disease based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale, the Vaughan Self-Care Scale, and the Neff Self-Compassion Scale. Path analysis was performed to analyze the data using SPSS version 25 and STATA version 14 software. A significance level of 0.05 or less was considered.
Results: The mean age of the elderly was 67.64 ± 7.48. The majority of participants in this study were women (166 individuals, 53.5%) and married (229 individuals, 73.9%). According to the results, the level of death anxiety was above average (8.07 ± 2.83), self-care was at a low level (66.53 ± 17.42), and the level of self-compassion was above average (38.88 ± 6.46). The results of the regression model indicated significant relationships between self-care and death anxiety (p < 0.001, b = 0.20), self-compassion and death anxiety (p < 0.001, b = -0.25), and self-compassion and self-care (p < 0.001, b = 0.28). The findings also confirmed the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between self-care and death anxiety (p = 0.001, b = -0.07).
Conclusion: Given the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between self-care and death anxiety, it is recommended that healthcare professionals and caregivers implement effective strategies to teach and enhance self-compassion among older patients with coronary artery disease.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Geriatric Received: 2025/02/02 | Accepted: 2025/08/04