Self-efficacy positively predicted medical help-seeking attitudes in hypertensive adults (β = 0.357, p < 0.001), with illness perception partially mediating this relationship.
Cross-Sectional (n=382)
Does self-efficacy improve medical help-seeking attitudes in young and middle-aged adults with hypertension?
Self-efficacy positively predicts medical help-seeking attitudes in younger hypertensive adults, a relationship mediated by illness perception and moderated by family support.
Effect estimate: β = 0.357
p-value: p=<0.001
Many young and middle-aged adults with hypertension do not seek timely medical help. This study investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and medical help-seeking attitudes, specifically focusing on the mediating role of illness perception and the moderating effect of family support. A cross-sectional survey of 382 hypertensive adults aged 18–59 in Nanjing, China, demonstrated that self-efficacy was a significant positive predictor of help-seeking attitudes (β = 0.357, p < 0.001). This relationship was partially mediated by illness perception, explained 37.70% of the variance in the total effect. Furthermore, perceived family support moderated this pathway, and the positive effect of self-efficacy on illness perception was stronger for individuals reporting higher family support (β = 0.103, p = 0.004). These findings highlight how family environment and self-perception jointly influence healthcare-seeking behavior in younger hypertensive populations.
Song et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=382). Self-efficacy was evaluated on Medical help-seeking attitudes (β = 0.357, p=<0.001). Self-efficacy positively predicted medical help-seeking attitudes in hypertensive adults (β = 0.357, p < 0.001), with illness perception partially mediating this relationship.