Structural Model of the Effect of Psychological Capital on Self-Care with Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in Patients with Heart Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common diseases in societies and are associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the structural pattern of psychological capital on self-care with the mediating role of self-compassion in patients with heart diseases.

The research method was a descriptive kind of structural equation modeling (SEM). The study population consisted of patients with heart diseases [ischemic heart disease (IHD) and congestive heart failure (CHF)] aged 25-70 years who referred to the educational-medical centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. From among them, 400 people were selected by convenience sampling method. Research instruments included Luthans Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), Neff Self-Compassion Scale, and Jarasma et al. Self-Care Behavior Questionnaire for Heart Failure Patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS software through Pearson correlation and simultaneous hierarchical regression.

According to the direct impact coefficient of β = 0.509, indirect impact coefficient of β = 0.046, direct critical value of t = 5.857, and indirect critical value of 0.051, the variable of self-compassion can explain the role of the mediating variable between the predictive variable of psychological capital and the criterion variable of self-care.

Self-compassion as a mediator in the relationship between psychological capital and self-care has an important role in improving the mental health of patients with heart diseases.