The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support Levels and Self-Efficacy in Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery

Abstract

Objectives: Social support is a vital factor in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among individuals with chronic diseases, and it plays a key role in enhancing self-efficacy. However, the interplay between perceived social support and self-efficacy in patients undergoing open heart surgery remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived social support and self-efficacy in patients post-open heart surgery, and to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors on self-efficacy. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted through one-on-one meetings with patients before discharge. Data were collected using the Descriptive Features Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Barnason Efficacy Expectation Scale (BEES) Cardiac Surgery Version. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25, with descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Stepwise regression was applied to explore the relationship between social support and self-efficacy. Results: The study included 242 participants, with a median age of 62 years. The majority of participants were male (70.7%), married (93.4%), had undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) (71.9%), had previous surgery experience (54.5%), and had prior hospitalizations (75.6%). The mean perceived social support score was 70.2±11.4, while the mean self-efficacy score was 44.7±8.5. A significant positive correlation was found between perceived social support and self-efficacy (r=0.326, p<0.001). Stepwise regression analysis showed that perceived social support accounted for 10% of the variance in self-efficacy (R²=0.100, 95% CI: 0.152-0.334, p<0.001). When adjusted for sociodemographic variables, including gender, education, place of residence, and age, the model explained 26.2% of the variance in self-efficacy (R²=0.262, ß=0.527, p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the important role of perceived social support in enhancing self-efficacy in post-operative heart surgery patients. Social support, along with sociodemographic factors, significantly influences recovery by fostering a stronger sense of self-efficacy. Strengthening social support may therefore contribute to better clinical outcomes and overall well-being for these patients.