The Role of Perceived Social Support on Quality of Life in People with Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are one of the major causes of hospitalization and mortality worldwide. Strengthening perceived  social support and quality of life can reduce these problems. This study aimed to describe the role of perceived social support on cardiovascular  patients' quality of life.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021. We selected 150 cardiovascular patients through  convenience sampling. The questionnaires included: the Persian version of the WHOQOL-BREF, Perceived Social Support, and demographic  variables. Hierarchical linear regression was used to explore the association between perceived social support and quality of life. Data were  analyzed by SPSS version 21.0 software. A P-value less than 0.05 is considered statistically significant.

Results: The demographic variables could predict 12.2% of the variance of quality of life in the first step. In the second step, after adjusting control  variables and dimensions of social support, the predictability increased to 29% of the variance with the addition of variables. All dimensions of social  support, excluding tangible assets support, were significant predictors of quality of life and monthly income status. Self-esteem support (β=  0.387) was the strongest predictor of quality of life in cardiovascular patients.

Conclusion: Patients with higher perceived social support have a better quality of life than the other patients. Perceived social support is one of the  strategies that can be utilized to improve quality of life and overcome disease in cardiovascular patients.