Abstract
Aim. This study was conducted to compare self-efficacy, life expectancy and death anxiety in people with and without heart disease.
Background. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of mortality in many countries including Iran. This chronic disease may affects self-efficacy, life expectancy and death anxiety.
Method. The present study was a comparative study in which 75 people with heart admitted to Seyyed Al-Shohada hospitals, Urmia, Iran were compared with 75 individuals without heart disease in terms of self-efficacy, life expectancy and death anxiety. To collect the data, the Snyder Life Expectancy Questionnaire, General Sherer's Manual, and Thompson's Death Fear was used. Data were analyzed in SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings. This study showed a statistically significant difference between people with and without heart disease in self-efficacy (51.36±9.11 against 66.30±10/60) (P≤0.0001) and life expectancy (39.66±8.78 against 46.12±6.87) (P≤0.0001). No statistical significant difference was found between the groups in terms of death anxiety.
Conclusion. It is recommended to take actions for improving self-efficacy and life expectancy in people with heart disease.