Do Depressive Symptoms Moderate the Effects of Exercise Self-efficacy on Physical Activity Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease?. Issue 4 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siow, Elaine; Leung, Doris Yin Ping; Wong, Eliza Mi Ling; Lam, Wai Han; Lo, Shuk Man
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiovascular nursing. Volume 33:Issue 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: coronary heart disease -- depression -- physical activity -- self-efficacy; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.10231
• DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000491
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0889-4655

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Exercise self-efficacy is an important predictor of physical activity. Patients with coronary heart disease are at risk of developing depressive symptoms that could further weaken their self-efficacy and interfere with their ability to engage in physical activity. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms, exercise self-efficacy, and physical activity among patients with coronary heart disease and how the efficacy-activity relationship is affected by the patient's level of depression. Methods: A survey was conducted on 149 participants at the time of discharge from the emergency and in-patient medical wards at 2 regional hospitals. Results: The sample was mostly male, married, living with families, and of lower socioeconomic status. The mean exercise self-efficacy was 4.26 ± 2.73, and the median physical activity was 12 (interquartile range, 6–21). Approximately 26% of participants had high depressive symptoms. Those with more depressive symptoms reported lower self-efficacy scores and lower physical activity. In multivariate regressions, self-efficacy was an independent predictor of physical activity ( b = 1.48, P < .001). After including depressive symptoms as the interaction term, exercise self-efficacy had a significantly stronger and positive relationship with physical activity ( b = 0.14, P = .043). Conclusion: Exercise self-efficacy had a positive association with physical activity, and this relationship was stronger among coronary heart disease patients with depressive symptoms. This finding suggests that self-efficacy might be important in encouraging individuals with depressive symptoms to participate in physical activity. More efforts should target the development of effective strategies to improve exercise self-efficacy as a way of promoting physical activity among depressed coronary heart disease patients.