Positive Mental Health and Self‐Care in Patients with Chronic Physical Health Problems: Implications for Evidence‐based Practice

Abstract

Background The capacity for self‐care and positive mental health (PMH) has an influence on well‐being and on one’s approach to chronic illness. Purpose The aim was to determine the level of PMH and self‐care agency as well as the relations among sociodemographic variables, PMH, and the level of self‐care among patients with chronic physical health problems. We also examined correlations between PMH and self‐care agency. Methods A descriptive, cross‐sectional correlational study was conducted with a sample of 209 patients at a primary care center. The instruments used were the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire and the Appraisal of Self‐Care Agency scale. The STROBE statement was used. Results Significant differences were found in the PMH factors in relation to sociodemographic variables and health conditions. Suffering one or more chronic diseases was associated negatively, and significantly, with the capacity for self‐care. The four most prevalent chronic health problems in the sample were hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Linking Evidence to Action In people with chronic physical health problems, there is a positive relationship between PMH and self‐care capacity. An increase in the possibility of caring for oneself saw an increase in PMH; conversely, an increase in PMH brought with it an increased capacity for self‐care as well. Therefore, if actions are taken to increase PMH, the capacity for self‐care will also increase.

The Mental Health of Patients With Psychotic Disorder From a Positive, Multidimensional and Recovery Perspective

“…The participants in our study presented lower levels of PMH than sample populations without mental disorders who had responded to the PMHQ (Lluch-Canut et al, 2013;Albacar, 2014;Roldán-Merino et al, 2017;Puig-Llobet et al, 2020;Sequeira et al, 2020). However, results were similar to findings in a study on patients with schizophrenia (Miguel, 2014).…”

“…To evaluate this multifactorial model, the author created the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ), which is described in detail in the Methods section. Lluch-Canut's PMHQ ( 1999 ) has been used in various studies and settings: in patients with schizophrenia (Miguel, 2014 ); in chronic patients (Lluch-Canut et al, 2013 ; Puig-Llobet et al, 2020 ); in carers of patients with schizophrenia (Albacar, 2014 ), and in university students (Roldán-Merino et al, 2017 ; Sequeira et al, 2020 ). The questionnaire has also been translated into Portuguese (Sequeira et al, 2014 ) and Turkish (Teke and Baysan Arabaci, 2018 ).…”

Positive Mental Health Literacy: A Concept Analysis

“…The multifactorial model of Positive Mental Health—based on a holistic perspective of health, wherein physical and mental health are intimately related—is also one of PMeHL’s critical characteristics ( Lluch-Canut et al, 2013 ; Puig Llobet et al, 2020 ). Lluch’s conceptual model of PMH includes six factors, which are also used to define PMeHL attributes: personal satisfaction, prosocial attitude, self-control, autonomy, problem-solving, self-actualization, and interpersonal relation skills ( Teixeira et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Prevention of the development of mental disorders, with positive relevance to physical health ( Iasiello et al, 2019 ; Mansfield et al, 2020 ; Puig Llobet et al, 2020 ).…”

Dual trajectories of loneliness and depression and their baseline correlates over a 14‐year follow‐up period in older adults: Results from a nationally representative sample in Taiwan

“…More than half of older adults followed a moderate, stable loneliness frequency pattern with a significant increasing depression frequency over a 14-year period, while only one-third were low-frequency lonely depressed. Furthermore, the present study's healthcare quality (Llobet et al, 2020).…”