The relationship between social support and quality of life in patients with heart failure

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between social support and quality of life in heart failure patients.Method: The study was carried out in the cardiology outpatient unit at two university hospital between January-September 2010. Study sample is composed of 150 patients who meet inclusion criteria. Patient Demographic Form, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, to assess the quality of life Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale (LVD-36) were used for the data collection. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Pearson?s correlation test.Results: The mean total perceived social support, perceived social support from family, perceived social support from friends and perceived social support from others score were 49.34 ± 17.57, 24.25 ± 6.17, 12.75 ± 8.16 and 12.33 ± 7.81, respectively. The mean quality of life score was 69.25 ± 23.12. There was a moderately significant negative correlation between the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support scores and Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale scores (r=.-.356 p=.000). As their perceived social support scores increased, quality of life scores significantly decreased. It shows that quality of life of patients was increased by increasing social support.Conclusions: Determining and improving family and others? social support of heart failure patients should be essential part of nursing practice.Key Words: Heart Failure, Social Support, Quality of Life, Nursing