Treatment Motivation and Hopelessness among Cardiac Patients

Abstract

Background: Cardiac patients' adherence to treatment regimens is crucial for their recovery and well-being. The role of psychological factors, including treatment motivation and hopelessness, in influencing treatment outcomes has gained increasing attention. Gender differences in these psychological aspects may have implications for tailoring patient care strategies.
 Objective: This study aimed to explore the differences in treatment motivation and hopelessness between male and female cardiac patients and to examine how these factors are related to demographic variables such as age, gender, education, and income.
 Methods: A total of 150 cardiac patients from the C-P-E Institute of Cardiology Multan were selected through purposive sampling for this cross-sectional study. The Treatment Motivation Questionnaire (TMQ) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were administered to assess treatment motivation and hopelessness, respectively. Data on demographic variables were also collected. Statistical analysis included mean, standard deviation, and t-tests.
 Results: The study found no significant difference in external motivation between females (mean=2.09, SD=0.35) and males (mean=2.02, SD=0.32, p=0.158). Internal motivation was significantly higher in males (mean=2.33, SD=0.27) compared to females (mean=2.23, SD=0.25, p=0.023). Help-seeking behavior was more prevalent in males (mean=2.45, SD=0.45) than in females (mean=2.28, SD=0.45, p=0.04). No significant difference was observed in confidence and overall treatment motivation between genders. Hopelessness was significantly higher in males (mean=12.05, SD=1.91) than in females (mean=11.43, SD=1.94, p=0.047).
 Conclusion: The study underscored significant gender differences in internal motivation and help-seeking behavior among cardiac patients, with males displaying higher levels of both. Additionally, males exhibited greater hopelessness than females. These findings suggest the need for gender-specific interventions to enhance treatment motivation and address hopelessness in cardiac patients.