Mutuality and Self-Care in the Patient–Caregiver Dyads in the Context of Coronary Heart Disease: An Exploration of the Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

Aims: To evaluate the effect of mutuality on self-care in people with CHD and the contribution of their caregivers, and whether such relationships can be mediated by self-efficacy. Design: Secondary analysis of baseline data from a multi-centre longitudinal study. Methods: Patients at the onset of coronary artery disease who underwent angioplasty, along with their caregivers, were included in the sample. Data from 136 patients and 136 caregivers were used for the analysis. Mutuality between patients and caregivers was measured using the Mutuality Scale. Self-care was measured using the Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Index and the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Coronary Heart Disease Index. The actor–partner interdependence mediation models were used to assess the mediating role of self-efficacy for self-care between perceived mutuality and self-care behaviours. Results: An actor indirect effect was found between patient mutuality and their self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management, through the mediation of their self-efficacy. Caregiver mutuality had a positive indirect effect on their contribution to self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management, through the mediation of their self-efficacy. Caregiver mutuality had a positive indirect effect on patient self-care maintenance and on patient self-care monitoring, through the mediation of patient self-efficacy. All models demonstrated satisfactory fit to the data. Conclusions: Mutuality between patients and caregivers enhances self-care behaviours in patients with coronary heart disease, and self-efficacy is a crucial mediator in this relationship. Interventions targeting both mutuality and self-efficacy within patient–caregiver dyads may improve self-care outcomes. Reporting Method: We adhered to STROBE guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients and members of the public were not involved in the design, conduct, reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.