TREATMENT MOTIVATION AND HOPELESSNESS AMONG ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE PATIENTS

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease is a serious cardiovascular disease with a considerable physical, psychological and emotional burden. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the treatment motivation and hopelessness of patients with ischemic heart disease and to investigate the correlation between them. A quantitative descriptive correlational research design was used for the study. The sample comprised 150 patients with ischemic heart disease who were hospitalized in cardiology wards and out patient cardiac clinics of selected tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Non-probability sampling method (convenience sampling) was used. The data collection instruments were a demographic questionnaire, a treatment motivation scale and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The data analysis was done by descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 26. The results indicated that most participants had moderate levels of treatment motivation and moderate hopelessness. The top score in terms of treatment motivation was for medication adherence and the lowest was for physical activity participation. Common signs of hopelessness for participants were fear of possible future complications and emotions of helplessness. Hopefulness was found to be negatively correlated with treatment motivation with a statistically significant level (r = -0.624 p = 0.001) such that greater treatment motivation was correlated with lower levels of hopelessness. Demographic variables were also found to be associated with study variables such as length of illness, marital status, level of education, income and age. The study found that psychological health is an important factor in treatment adherence and recovery among people with ischemic heart disease. The results indicate the importance of motivational counseling, psychological support and patient-centered nursing care to lower the hopelessness level and treatment outcomes of cardiac patients.