self-care behavior

Diabetes is the most common chronic metabolic disease in the world. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational program based on social cognitive theory on the self-care behaviors of patients with type 2 diabetes in Fasa city.

This semi-experimental study was conducted in 2018 on 106 patients with type 2 diabetes referring to comprehensive health service centers in Fasa city. The samples were randomly divided into two intervention groups (53 people) and control (53 people). The data was collected by the standard questionnaire of self-care behavior and the researcher-made questionnaire of social cognitive theory, which was completed by both intervention and control groups before and 3 months after the educational intervention. The educational intervention was held during 12 sessions of 60-90 minutes using lecture methods, providing an automatic disk program for the intervention group. The data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23 and descriptive statistical tests, chi-square, independent t and paired t. The significance level (p < 0.05) was considered.

The average age of patients in the intervention group was 48.81±8.56 years and the control group was 49.37±8.60 years. After the educational intervention, the average scores of awareness and all constructs of social cognitive theory and self-care behavior in the test group increased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05). Also, Hemoglobin A1C and Fast Blood Sugar decreased after the intervention in the test group compared to the control group (p<0.05).

According to the results of the present study, self-care increased in the patients of the intervention group compared to the control group after the educational intervention, so social cognitive theory can be a suitable framework for designing educational interventions to promote self-care behaviors in patients with diabetes.

Diabetes (silent death) is one of the problems in the field of health and public health all across the globe. The most important factor in the control of diabetes and its complications is self-care behaviors. The leading cause of death in diabetic patients is a lack of self-care behaviors. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess self-care behavior and its influential factors in people with type 2 diabetes.

In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 308 diabetic patients who were registered in the Sib system between 2015 and 2021 were selected and included via a multi-stage cluster method. The data collection tool was the self-care behavior questionnaire, and the demographic information was obtained from the electronic file (Sib system). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency percentage), Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis.

The mean self-care score of the patients was 48.07, and their self-care status was average. Self-care behavior score demonstrated a significant relationship with age, job status, education level, marital status, economic status, smoking, hospitalization history, and disease complications (P<0.05).

As evidenced by the results of the present study, the self-care status of the patients was reported at an average level, and it was affected by various factors, such as education level and job status. Therefore, in order to promote self-care behavior, health policymakers should formulate appropriate programs according to the needs of society, and health educators should perform the necessary educational interventions according to effective factors.

Pregnancy under the fear of Covid-19 may bring numerous maternal and neonatal consequences. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of COVID-19-related fear and self-care behaviors with pregnancy outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the sampling was performed on 300 pregnant mothers who were referred to at Akbarabadi Educational-Medical Center in Tehran during the Covid-19 pandemic from June to September 2021. The research instruments included demographic and pregnancy information questionnaires, Carvalho's Covid-19-related self-care questionnaire, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and maternal-neonatal outcomes questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.

The mean age of 300 subjects was reported as 29.35±5.60 years. The gestational age of 266-278 days had the highest frequency (36%). Furthermore, the mean gestational age for all participants was 262.11±18.76 days. Moreover, 1% and 3.6% of subjects had the most and least severe COVID-19-related fear, respectively. Maternal outcomes were positively and significantly correlated with fear of COVID-19. Higher mean scores of fear were associated with more maternal outcomes; nonetheless, there was no relationship between neonatal outcomes and COVID-19-related Fear. Self-care behaviors were not correlated with maternal outcomes; however, they were related to neonatal consequences.

Fear of Covid-19 was associated with an increase in the adverse consequences of pregnancy; therefore, it is necessary to raise mothers' awareness of Covid-19 and reduce their fear by training them on correct self-care behaviors and health protocols.

Heart disease affects various aspects of quality of life, including physical, emotional, social, and functional health. However, some factors can improve the quality of cardiovascular patients' personal, occupational, and social life by improving their lifestyle, one of which is the adoption of self–care behaviors by patients. Self–care is not meant to replace professional and organizational care but should be seen as a complement. It plays a crucial role in determining the extent and manner in which it is utilized. The present study aimed to test the structural relationship between spiritual health and social support with self–care behaviors by studying the mediating role of psychological capital.

The present study was correlational using a path analysis model. The study's statistical population consisted of all cardiovascular patients referred to medical centers in Qom City, Iran. Of whom 200 people were selected by convenience sampling. In determining the sample size, in modeling research, 10 to 15 people are needed for each obvious variable, and based on the available variables, 200 people were selected by purposive sampling. After randomly determining the target centers (through lottery) and obtaining the necessary permits from the university, the researchers attended the medical centers and explained the research objectives. Then, they obtained the informed consent of the sample members to participate in the research. Finally, the samples were selected, and after explaining the objectives of the study and the method of answering the questions, they were asked to answer the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (Lutans and Jensen, 2007), the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (Zimmet et al., 1988), the Spiritual Health Questionnaire (Ellison, 1983), and the European Questionnaire to complete self–care behavior in patients with heart failure (Jarasma et al., 2003). Data analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation method and path analysis model in AMOS.22 and SPSS.22 software. The significance level of the tests in this study was considered 0.05.

The results showed that social support (β=0.17, p=0.013) and spiritual health (β=0.21 and p=0.002) had a direct effect on psychological capital. Social support (β=0.19, p=0.006) and spiritual health (β=0.15 and p=0.025) had a direct effect on caring behavior. Psychological capital (β=0.17 and p=0.013) had a direct effect on caring behavior. The calculated goodness of fit indicators of the relationship between social support, mental capital, spiritual health, and self–care behaviors showed that mental capital mediated the relationship between spiritual health and social support with self–care behaviors (RMSEA=0.067, AGFI=0.98).

The results showed that perceived social support, while having a direct and significant relationship with caring behavior in cardiovascular patients, indirectly improves their caring behavior by increasing the psychological capital of these patients.

 Diabetes is one of the most common diseases affecting peoplechr('39')s mental health and the body. Therefore, psychological interventions seem necessary to solve the problems caused by this disease. 

 The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and commitment to self-care behavior and glycosylated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes at Tonekabon City Hospital. 

This clinical trial was a one-step cluster sampling study, including 200 patients who were randomly selected from all patients with type 2 diabetes in Tonekabon City Hospital and, at the same time, the scale of self-care behavior of Tobert, Glasgow, and Hamspon (2002). A total of 45 people were randomly selected and divided into three groups of 15 people, including two intervention groups and one control group, 12 compassionate therapy sessions, and 12 admission-based treatment sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. Meetings for each intervention were performed twice a week with an interval of 3 days. At the end of treatment, all three groups were retested.

 Due to the comparison of the mean differences between the two treatment groups for self-care and glycosylated hemoglobin (5.012) (-2.145), respectively, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was more effective than compassion-focused therapy. 

 The results owed a positive trend and increased self-care behavior and balanced glycosylated hemoglobin level in the follow-up and effectiveness of both approaches and the superiority of the acceptance and commitment-based treatment approach. Therefore, this treatment can be used in different conditions to improve the lives of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Increasing the prevalence of diabetes requires a change in concepts related to diabetes management and treatment programs. This change must be switch from the physical variables to psychosocial factors. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on psychological hardiness, caring behavior and coping styles of patients with type 2 diabetes.

The present study was a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test intervention with a control group. The population consisted of diabetic patients who were referred to Besat Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2020. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups of 20 people. One group trained by using the ACT approach in eight 2-hour sessions. Other groups trained by the CBT approach in eight 1-hour sessions training. The control group didnchr('39')t receive any training. The data collection tools consisted of the Kobasa psychological hardiness questionnaire (1976), the Endler & Parker coping styles (1990), and the Tobert & Glasgow self-care questionnaire (2000).

The CBT and ACT interventions are effective in increasing the psychological hardiness and self-care behavior and improving coping styles in the experimental groups (P<0.05). Also, the CBT intervention had a greater effect than ACT on the variables of psychological hardiness and self-care behavior in the experimental group. In the variable of coping styles, the ACT intervention had a greater effect on the avoidance and excitement components than the CBT intervention.

In conclusion, it can be said that the CBT and ACT interventions can effectively increase the mental health of patients with type 2 diabetes and help them control their symptoms. It is recommended using these interventions to improve the psychological status of patients with diabetes.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women which leaves a profound impact on psychosocial health, and quality of life in women, therefore the aim of this study was investigation the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on Quality of life, mental health and self-care behavior in breast cancer patients.

In a pretest-posttest experimental design with control group, using available sampling method, 30 patients with breast cancer who were admitted to the Specialty Clinic of Gynecological Diseases of Women Jahad University and Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran in the first trimester. They were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups in 2018. The experimental group underwent acceptance and commitment based treatment for two months and the scores of Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Mental Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and self-care behaviors (SCQ) before and after the intervention and at the follow-up phase of one. Months and a half were collected in both groups and analyzed using ANOVA.

Results have showed that in experimental group, ACT significantly increased Quality of life (P ˂ 0.05), mental health (P ˂ 0.05) and self-care behavior (P ˂ 0.05), breast cancer patients through post-test and follow up.

Results of this study reveal the effectiveness of commitment therapy (ACT) on Quality of life, mental health and self-care behavior in breast cancer patients. According to these results and the mechanism of its effectiveness, this therapy can has good therapeutic implications.

Self-care and patients education is the core of diabetes care and control. Family as the most fundamental pillar of society is responsible for the provision of proper and appropriate health care. The current study aimed to investigate the family-oriented empowerment model on self-care behaviors of patients with Type 2 diabetes in Neka.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on patients with diabetes mellitus referring to comprehensive rural health centers in Naka. They were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received training for three months. Data collection instrument included  Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities(SCSCA) questionnaire consisting of two parts, namely demographic characteristics and dimensions of self-care activities(including diet, random blood glucose, physical activity, foot care, fasting blood sugar). The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software( version 24).

Based on the results of the study,  there was a significant difference in the mean scores before and after the intervention in terms of blood sugar, dietary control, and self-care behaviors (P <0.05). However, the mean scores before and after intervention in foot care, insulin consumption, and Physical activity was not significantly different (P> 0.05).

The results were indicative of the impact of family-Oriented empowerment education on most self-care behaviors of patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study was conducted to examine the relationship of marital satisfaction and self-care behavior in people with chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure is one of the most important problems in public health and it would impose heavy costs on society and family. Self-care plays an important role in managing heart failure and can be influenced by social support. The patients receive the highest level of social support from their families.

In this descriptive study, 251 patients were selected by convenience sampling method. The instruments were Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire, and The European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior  (EHFSCB). Collected data were analyzed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The results showed that 58.8 percent of participants were male, with a mean age of 59.66 years. The mean score of marital satisfaction was 145.6±41.98. Most participants (46.9 percent) had partial marital satisfaction. The mean score of self-care was 34.5±12.24 and most participants (41.2 percent) reported good self-care. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the marital satisfaction and self-care scores.

Due to the positive effect of self-care behaviors on marital satisfaction and because most people with chronic heart failure have partial marital satisfaction, it is recommended to study factors influencing these components. It is suggested to support and teach patients and their families in order to improve marital satisfaction and promote self-care behaviors in these patients.