Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study assessed the level of disease acceptance and self-efficacy among patients hospitalized with CVDs, as these factors may be associated with patients’ engagement in treatment and health outcomes.

Material and methods

The study was conducted among 157 patients hospitalized in the Invasive Cardio­logy Department of a hospital in Warsaw. Women constituted 58.0% of the study group and men 42.0%. The research instruments included the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES); socio-demographic variables were also collected.

Results

According to the AIS, more than half of the respondents (51.0%) demonstrated a low level of disease acceptance, 27.8% showed a moderate level, and 20.4% reported a high level of acceptance. Based on the GSES, 54.4% of participants exhibited a low level of self-efficacy, 28.0% achieved scores indicating high self-efficacy, and 16.6% demonstrated a moderate level. A strong positive correlation was found between disease acceptance and self-efficacy (r = 0.86, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified older age, place of residence, and the number of coexisting cardiovascular diagnoses as independent factors associated with low disease acceptance (AIS), whereas education level and widowhood were associated with low self-efficacy (GSES).

Conclusions

Most patients treated for CVDs demonstrated low levels of disease acceptance and self-efficacy, which may adversely affect the treatment process. Patients with higher levels of disease acceptance also reported higher levels of self-efficacy. The findings highlight specific patient groups more likely to demonstrate low disease acceptance or self-efficacy. Older individuals and those with multiple comorbidities were more likely to report low disease acceptance, whereas lower education level and widowhood were associated with lower self-efficacy.