The mediating role of illness beliefs in the relationship between experiential avoidance and adaptation to illness among cardiovascular patients

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a severe medical condition associated with a range of adverse outcomes. Moreover, psychological and mental health factors play a significant role in the progression of the disease, the extent of recovery, and mortality rates. Aim: The aim of the present study was to predict adaptation to the disease based on experiential avoidance with the mediating role of disease beliefs in cardiovascular patients. Methods: This descriptive and correlational study employed structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among key variables. The statistical population consisted of individuals with cardiovascular disease who visited medical centers in Bukan in 2018. A total of 300 participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale, and the Health Beliefs Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using correlation coefficient methods and structural equation modeling with AMOS and SPSS software. Results: The results indicated that experiential avoidance had a significant negative relationship with adaptation to illness, while illness beliefs demonstrated a significant positive relationship (p < 0.01). Structural equation modeling revealed that the proposed model—examining the mediating role of illness beliefs in the relationship between experiential avoidance and adaptation to illness among cardiovascular patients—exhibited a good fit. Furthermore, the indirect effect of experiential avoidance on adaptation to illness, mediated by illness beliefs, was statistically significant at the 0.01 level. Conclusion: Experiential avoidance can influence adaptation to illness in cardiovascular patients through its impact on illness beliefs. Therefore, addressing both experiential avoidance and illness beliefs may enhance patients' psychological adjustment to the disease.