Capsule Commentary on Yeh, et al., Depressed Mood, Perceived Health Competence and Health Behaviors: a Cross-Sectional Mediation Study in Outpatients with Coronary Heart Disease

Excerpt

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death, and depression is one of the most common causes of morbidity, in developed nations.¹ The relationship between depression and CHD is a two-way street, with each adversely impacting the prognosis of the other. While we still have an insufficient understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in this relationship, worse health behaviors, including diet, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use patterns, represent highly significant factors. Yeh et al. provide a valuable contribution to the literature in their identification of perceived health competence as a significant mediator.² They estimate that perceived health competence is responsible for about one-quarter of the total effect of depressed mood on health behaviors. Essentially, they are suggesting that those who are depressed are less likely to feel that it is within their power to change their behavior in such a manner to impact their health, and thus do not follow through on quitting smoking or improving their diet or exercise regimen. …