Authors (including presenting author) :
Ho JPC (1), Tang TWT (1), Poon DWF (1), Tong AKK (2) Wan AHY (2)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, NTEC (2) Centre on Behavioural Health, The University of Hong Kong
Introduction :
Psychological wellbeing is gaining clinical attention in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). In clinical context, cardiac conditions have high reoccurrence rate, comorbidity and mortality, requiring continuous medical care, and thus substantial medical resources; previous studies suggested psychological interventions could be beneficial. The concept of self-compassion and related therapies are gaining clinical attention; yet the role of self-compassion (SC) and self-criticism (SCr) in CR is to be examined. Studies regarding self-compassion and psychological wellbeing among cardiac patients are limited. Preceding studies focused predominantly on SC and physical cardiac parameters, and their relation with cardiac symptom experience (CSE) remains unclear.
Objectives :
To explore correlation among SC and SCr levels, psychological wellbeing as reflected by stress, anxiety and depression level, cardiac health level as reflected by CSE and medical resource utilisation, among cardiac patients.
Methodology :
This study was a cross-sectional survey study with convenience sampling, using a self-administered, self-report questionnaire packet with Self-Compassion Scale (Hong Kong Chinese Version), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS-21(Chinese version), and cardiac symptom questionnaire modified from Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Final sample comprised 108 cardiac patients under Occupational Therapy care.
Result & Outcome :
Cardiac patients were of psychological need, with 29.6% participants suggestive suffering from depression at varied levels, and 41.7% participants suggestive suffering from anxiety. Cardiac patients with higher level of SCr were more likely to experience higher level of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms, and higher level of CSE. Mood was positively correlated with medical resource utilisation, in terms of AED visit and hospitalization (p <.05); CSE was positively correlated with frequency of hospitalization (p <.05). Multiple regression analysis showed DASS-21 total score together with SCr factor score could better predict CSE, than single use of either predictor; both of them were of similar statistical significance and the model remained significant after controlling age and sex (F(4,103) = 13.366, p < .001, Adj R2 = .316). This study provided updates and support for the psychological need of persons with cardiac conditions, which is of clinical significance. Including interventions targeting self-criticism in CR may bring additional clinical benefits in terms of psychological wellbeing and cardiac symptoms.
