Health belief and self-management behaviors in patients with stroke: The mediating role of time perspective.

AIMS This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of time perspective in the relationship between health belief and self-management behaviors in patients with stroke.

METHODS A cross-sectional survey involving 250 stroke patients was conducted at a hospital in Guangzhou, China, from July 2022 to July 2023. Participants' self-management behaviors, health belief, and time perspective were assessed using validated questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify factors influencing self-management behaviors. Mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS.

RESULTS Correlation analysis indicated significant positive associations among health belief, time perspective, and self-management behaviors. The multiple linear regression model explained 51.5 % of the variance in self-management behaviors among stroke patients. Time perspective partially mediated the relationship between health belief and self-management behaviors, accounting for 37.14 % of the total effect.

CONCLUSION Based on the General Conceptual Model of Time Perspective, this study provides empirical evidence that time perspective partially mediates the link between health belief and self-management behaviors in stroke patients. Healthcare providers should therefore encourage positive health belief and reframe patients' time perspective to enhance self-management behaviors.