The influence of mutuality on self-care in heart failure patients and caregivers: A dyadic analysis

Mutuality in patient-caregiver dyad may improve heart failure (HF) patient self-care and caregiver contribution to self-care, but literature is scarce. We evaluated the influence of mutuality and its dimensions on patient-caregiver dyad self-care. A sample of 366 HF patient-caregiver dyads was enrolled. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was used to identify the influence of individual patient and caregiver mutuality on their own self-care (actor effect) and on partner self-care (partner effect). The total mutuality score had an actor effect on patient self-care maintenance (i.e., behaviors aimed at maintaining HF stability) and on patient and caregiver self-care confidence. Total score of patient mutuality also had a partner effect on caregiver self-care management (i.e., responses to symptoms of HF exacerbation). Specific mutuality dimensions had different actor and partner effects on patient and caregiver self-care. Interventions to improve mutuality in HF patient-caregiver dyads may influence patient self-care and caregiver contribution to self-care.

heart failure; mutuality; patient–caregiver dyads; self-care.