Background

Depression is a frequently reported phenomenon that negatively affects self-care and the healthcare provided to older adults with heart failure. However, the literature is mixed about predictors of depression in older adults with heart failure.

Objectives

To examine newly introduced variables derived from the acceptance and commitment therapy model and selected demographics as predictors of depression in older adults with heart failure.

Method

A cross-sectional design was used. Participants with heart failure (N = 272) were recruited from major regional hospitals during their regular visits to the heart failure clinics. Descriptive analysis was run for the recruited sample. Pearson’s correlation was used to examine bivariate correlations between study variables. Finally, multiple linear regression was used to examine the model that contained the study variables to predict depression in older adults with heart failure.

Results

The results showed that time since diagnosis, impulsivity, stress, psychological flexibility, and heart failure knowledge significantly predicted depression in older adults with heart failure. The model explained 49.5% of the variance in depression.

Conclusion

An array of psychological and sociodemographic variables explained approximately half of depression in older adults with heart failure. The acceptance and commitment therapy model has been shown to be beneficial in incorporating new variables contributing to depression in older adults with heart failure.

Implications

The current study offers preliminary evidence of the potential benefit of the acceptance and commitment therapy model-based interventions. Future research should be conducted to minimize the impact of depression in persons with heart failure.