Co-occurring self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression in caregivers of patients with heart failure: A Group-Based Dual-Trajectory Modeling Approach
摘要
Self-efficacy and mental health present mutually influencing relationships in caregivers of patients with heart failure (HF). There is currently a lack of understanding the synergistic developmental mechanisms of self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression in caregivers. The purpose of the study was to examine the individual and dual trajectories of caregiver self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression during the first three months after the discharge of patients with HF.
MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted from June 2022 to May 2024, in four tertiary hospitals in Tianjin, China. A total of 299 family caregivers of patients with HF were enrolled in the cohort, and 267 completed follow-ups. Group-based dual trajectory modeling was employed to examine the development of self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression.
ResultsThe mean (SD) age of caregivers was 58.3 (13.1) years, and 164 (61.4%) were women. Three trajectories of caregiver self-efficacy were identified: low-curve (25.1%), middle-curve (67.8%), and high-stable (7.1%). Regular exercise, work status, and chronic disease were associated with the different caregiver self-efficacy trajectories. A 3-class trajectory solution was chosen for depression and anxiety when analyzed separately. The proportions of ideal combinations of high-stable self-efficacy and initial-to-mild anxiety or depression were extremely small, at 12.60% and 8.00%, respectively. Caregivers had limited and inconsistent abilities to regulate the effects of anxiety and depression on their self-efficacy.
ConclusionThe present study identified three distinct trajectories of self-efficacy, anxiety, and depression among family caregivers of patients with HF. The dual-trajectory models revealed the probability of interrelationships between caregiver self-efficacy trajectories and those of anxiety and depression, suggesting substantial opportunities to enhance caregivers’ self-efficacy and mental well-being of patients with HF.