Do Depressive Symptoms Moderate the Effects of Exercise Self-efficacy on Physical Activity Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease?

Background: Exercise self-efficacy is an important predictor of physical activity. Patients with coronary heart disease are at risk of developing depressive symptoms that could further weaken their self-efficacy and interfere with their ability to engage in physical activity. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms, exercise self-efficacy, and physical activity among patients with coronary heart disease and how the efficacy-activity relationship is affected by the patient's level of depression. Methods: A survey was conducted on 149 participants at the time of discharge from the emergency and in-patient medical wards at 2 regional hospitals. Results: The sample was mostly male, married, living with families, and of lower socioeconomic status. The mean exercise self-efficacy was 4.26 ± 2.73, and the median physical activity was 12 (interquartile range, 6–21). Approximately 26% of participants had high depressive symptoms. Those with more depressive symptoms reported lower self-efficacy scores and lower physical activity. In multivariate regressions, self-efficacy was an independent predictor of physical activity (b = 1.48, P
Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing - Category: Nursing Tags: Feature Article/Online Only Source Type: research