Trajectories and Co‐Occurrence of Perceived Control in Patients With Heart Failure and Self‐Efficacy in Their Caregivers: A Three‐Month Longitudinal Study of Dual Trajectories

AIM: This study aims to explore the trajectories and co-occurrence of perceived control and caregiver self-efficacy among patients with heart failure (HF) and their caregivers within 3 months post-discharge and identify associated risk factors. DESIGN: A prospective cohort design. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted from March to June 2024 in Tianjin, China. Information on perceived control and caregiver self-efficacy was collected 24 h before discharge, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after discharge. Group-Based Dual Trajectory Modelling (GBDTM) and logistic regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: The study included 203 dyads of patients with HF and their caregivers (HF dyads). Perceived control identified three trajectories: low curve (15.3%), middle curve (57.1%) and high curve (27.6%). Caregiver self-efficacy demonstrated three trajectories: low curve (17.2%), middle curve (56.7%) and high stable (26.1%). GBDTM revealed nine co-occurrence patterns, with the highest proportion (36.7%) being 'middle-curve group for perceived control and middle-curve group for caregiver self-efficacy', and 16.7% being 'high-curve group for perceived control and high-stable group for caregiver self-efficacy'. Age, gender, household income, NYHA class, symptom burden and psychological resilience were identified as risk factors for perceived control trajectories; marital status, regular exercise and psychological resilience were identified as risk factors for caregiver self-efficacy trajectories. CONCLUSION: We identified distinct trajectories, co-occurrence patterns and risk factors of perceived control and caregiver self-efficacy among HF dyads. These findings help clinical nurses to better design and implement interventions, strengthening the comprehensive management and care outcomes for HF dyads. IMPACT: These findings highlighted the interactive relationship between perceived control and caregiver self-efficacy trajectories, suggesting that interventions should boost both to improve personalised treatment plans and outcomes for HF dyads. REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to the STROBE checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients and their caregivers contributed by participating in the study and completing the questionnaire.