A literature review of coping strategies and health-related quality of life among patients with heart failure

To identify and provide clarity on factors that influence coping and the type of coping strategies used by patients with heart failure (HF) to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

The Arksey and O’Malley template framed this scoping review guided by the stress and coping model. Five databases were explored: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Keywords included HF, quality of life, coping, and influencing factors. Eligibility criteria involved patients with HF, reported on coping strategies and HRQoL, and published in English. Thirty-five studies were included (4 randomized controlled trials, 27 cross-sectional, and 4 qualitative/mixed methods). Active emotional coping (e.g. acceptance) and problem-focused (e.g. seeking social support) coping strategies were linked to better HRQoL, while avoidant emotional coping (e.g. denial) was linked to worse HRQoL. In the presence of the stressor of HF severity, key factors that influenced the types of the coping strategy included sex, age, social support, income, education, spiritual beliefs, and illness duration. However, the evidence on the effectiveness of the type of coping on HRQoL remains inadequate due to the majority of studies being cross-sectional.

Problem-focused and active emotional coping strategies are associated with improved HRQoL. However, their effect is inconclusive due to the lack of experimental studies. Additional predictive studies will enhance the understanding of coping among HF patients.