Factors Influencing Self-Care Compliance in Outpatient Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Purpose: This study investigated the levels of depression, social support, self-efficacy, and self-care compliance in patients with ischemic stroke and aimed to identify factors influencing self-care compliance.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 143 ischemic stroke patients who presented to a university hospital in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, and could perform independent daily activities and communicate. Depression, social support, self-efficacy, and self-care compliance were assessed using validated self-reported questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis.Results: Self-care compliance was negatively correlated with depression (r=-.21, p=.014) and positively correlated with social support (r=.26, p=.002). Multiple regression analysis identified social support (β=.19, p=.028), employment status (β=.18, p=.027), and depression (β=-.17, p=.045) as significant predictors of self-care compliance, explaining 13% of the variance.Conclusion: To improve self-care compliance, it is necessary to strengthen patient education, promote social support systems, and manage psychological factors such as depression. Personalized interventions based on patients' social and occupational circumstances should be implemented. This study provides evidence for developing self-care manuals, mobile applications, and community-based programs to support ischemic stroke patients in preventing recurrence and improving long-term health management.