Health Literacy As a Mediator Between Gender, Illness Identity, and Self-Efficacy

The Mediating Role of Health Literacy in the Relationship Between Gender Differences, Illness Identity, and Self-Efficacy Patients with Cardiac Diseases: a Structural Equation Model

The goal of this observational study is to understand the role of health literacy in shaping the relationship between gender differences, illness identity, and self-efficacy in geriatric patients with cardiac diseases. The main question it aims to answer is:

Does health literacy mediate the relationship between gender, illness identity, and self-efficacy in elderly cardiac patients?

Participants with diagnosed cardiac conditions, will complete online surveys assessing their health literacy, illness identity, and self-efficacy over a one-year period. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) will be used to analyze the relationships among these variables.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 30 years or older.
• Diagnosed with a cardiac disease (e.g., heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia).
• Able to provide informed consent.
• Sufficient health literacy to complete surveys in the study language.
• Currently under regular medical care for their cardiac condition.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with a cognitive impairment or diagnosis of dementia that could interfere with survey participation.
• Patients with co-morbid terminal illnesses that significantly impact life expectancy (e.g., advanced cancer).