Self-care behavior, hope, and social support in Taiwanese patients awaiting heart transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the self-care behavior, hope, and social support in patients awaiting heart transplantation and to explore all the correlative and related factors.


METHODS
In total, 45 participants who met the selection criteria were selected by purposive sampling from four medical centers in Taiwan. The three instruments Self-Care Behavior Scale, Herth Hope Index (HHI), and Social Support Inventory were used for data collection.


RESULTS
Significant, positive correlations among self-care behavior, hope, and social support were observed. Social support was the best predictive factor for both self-care behavior and hope.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcomes of this study can help medical care personnel better understand the self-care behavior, hope, and social support in patients awaiting heart transplantation and can also serve as a reference when developing relevant interventions for these patients.
Wang
Li-Yun
LY
Tzu-Hui Institute of Technology, Taiwan, ROC.
Chang
Pi-Chen
PC
Shih
Fu-Jin
FJ
Sun
Chi-Chen
CC
Jeng
Chii
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D014850:Waiting Lists