The Impact of an Attitude- and Cognition-Based Self-Care Model on the Psychological Empowerment of Hospitalized Patients Following High-Risk Surgeries in Selected Hospitals in Shiraz

Salah, M.M; Agha Rahimi, A; Zamani, Z; Azadi, Sh

The Impact of an Attitude- and Cognition-Based Self-Care Model on the Psychological Empowerment of Hospitalized Patients Following High-Risk Surgeries in Selected Hospitals in Shiraz

Authors

M.M Salah ¹

A Agha Rahimi ²

z Zamani ³

Sh Azadi ⁴

¹ PhD in Psychology, Fatemeh University of Shiraz

² 2PhD in Sociology, Fatemeh University of Shiraz

³ PhD in Philosophy, Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran Branch

⁴ 4Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran Branch

Abstract

Background and Objective: Patients recovering from high-risk surgical procedures encounter numerous psychological challenges alongside their physical conditions. Psychological empowerment is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing treatment outcomes and improving quality of life for these individuals. An attitude- and cognition-based self-care model offers a promising approach to enhance patient capabilities. This study aims to evaluate the effects of this self-care model on the psychological empowerment of hospitalized patients following high-risk surgeries.
Materials & Methods: This study employed a descriptive-correlational design with a quantitative approach. The study population comprised 264 patients hospitalized for high-risk surgeries at selected hospitals in Shiraz in 2025. From this population, a sample of 153 individuals was selected using Morgan's sampling table and a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including a self-care capability questionnaire and the Psychological Empowerment Scale developed by Spreitzer and Mishra (1997). The validity of these instruments was confirmed through expert evaluations, and their reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.84 and 0.94, respectively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing Pearson correlation coefficient tests and multivariate regression analysis.
Results: Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between overall self-care model scores and psychological empowerment among patients (p < 0.01). Furthermore, each dimension of self-care demonstrated positive and significant correlations with the overall psychological empowerment score and its four dimensions: meaningfulness, competence, self-determination, and impact (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the components of the self-care model significantly explained the variance in psychological empowerment, highlighting its predictive capabilities.
Conclusion: The results of the study indicate a significant association between the attitude- and cognition-based self-care model and enhanced psychological empowerment among patients recovering from high-risk surgeries. This finding highlights the necessity of improving knowledge, fostering positive attitudes, and promoting self-care behaviors, thereby enabling patients to feel more capable, in control, and influential throughout their recovery process. Consequently, it is recommended that educational interventions based on this model be integrated into postoperative care protocols as an effective strategy for promoting mental health and empowering patients.

Keywords

Mental Health

Postoperative Care

Self Care

Cognition