title: Quality of recipient-caregiver relationship and psychological distress are correlates of self-care agency after lung transplantation.
abstract: Self-care behaviors are crucial for following the complex regimen after lung transplantation, yet little is known about recipients' levels of self-care agency (the capability and willingness to engage in self-care behaviors) and its correlates. We examined levels of self-care agency and recipient characteristics (socio-demographics, psychological distress, quality of relationship with primary lay caregiver, and health locus of control) in 111 recipients. Based on Perceived Self-Care Agency scores, recipients were assigned to either the low- or high-self-care agency comparison group. Characteristics were compared between groups to identify characteristics likely to be associated with lower-self-care agency. Mean (SD) score for self-care agency (scale range, 53-265) was 223.02 (22.46). Recipients with lowest-self-care agency scores reported significantly poorer quality of caregiver relationships (p < 0.001) and greater psychological distress (p < 0.001). After controlling for psychological distress, the quality of the recipient-caregiver relationship remained significantly associated with self-care agency. Every one-point decrease in the quality of caregiver relationship increased the risk of low-self-care agency by 12%. Recipients with poorer caregiver relationships and greater psychological distress may need additional support to perform the self-care behaviors expected after lung transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DeVito Dabbs
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Terhorst
authors.forename: Mi-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Diana A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Shellmer
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aubrecht
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: Mary Amanda
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dew
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003284:Contract Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult