Victoria Vaughan Dickson1, Jin Jun2, Gail D'Eramo Melkus3. 1. New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Ave, New York, NY, 10010 USA. Electronic address: vdickson@nyu.edu. 2. New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Ave, New York, NY, 10010 USA; The Ohio State University, College of Nursing, 1585 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 USA. 3. New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Ave, New York, NY, 10010 USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-care is essential to cardiovascular disease (CVD) health outcomes, but may be challenging for older working adults. OBJECTIVE: Describe self-care and the relationship of work-related characteristics to self-care among older workers with CVD. METHODS: Convergent mixed methods design (n = 108) assessed self-care, organization of work, job-level and clinical factors; qualitative data (n = 40) explored self-care and working. Data integrated in the final analytic phase. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent reported adequate self-care maintenance (SC-CHDI maintenance ≥70); only 22% had adequate self-care management (SC-CHDI management ≥ 70). Controlling for physical capacity, work-related factors explained 22% variance in self-care maintenance; physical capacity was only significant determinant of self-care management. Individuals with poor self-care described low job control, job stress and work-life imbalance that interfered with routine self-care. Individuals with poor self-care management reported "feeling stressed out" and "extreme fatigue" attributed to their job. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions targeting self-care, stress management and work-life balance among older workers with CVD are needed.
BACKGROUND: Self-care is essential to cardiovascular disease (CVD) health outcomes, but may be challenging for older working adults. OBJECTIVE: Describe self-care and the relationship of work-related characteristics to self-care among older workers with CVD. METHODS: Convergent mixed methods design (n = 108) assessed self-care, organization of work, job-level and clinical factors; qualitative data (n = 40) explored self-care and working. Data integrated in the final analytic phase. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent reported adequate self-care maintenance (SC-CHDI maintenance ≥70); only 22% had adequate self-care management (SC-CHDI management ≥ 70). Controlling for physical capacity, work-related factors explained 22% variance in self-care maintenance; physical capacity was only significant determinant of self-care management. Individuals with poor self-care described low job control, job stress and work-life imbalance that interfered with routine self-care. Individuals with poor self-care management reported "feeling stressed out" and "extreme fatigue" attributed to their job. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions targeting self-care, stress management and work-life balance among older workers with CVD are needed.