Abstract 10325: A Typology of Self-Care Among Older Workers With Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

America’s workforce is aging. As a result, health problems associated with aging, like CHD present new health challenges. Self-care is essential to cardiovascular health, but how self-care behaviors vary among older workers with CHD has not been explored. Objective: To identify self-care types of aging workers with CHD and identify the characteristics and work-related determinants of self-care types. Methods: In a sample of 125 older workers with CHD, 2-step cluster analysis was used to identify patterns of similarity among self-care behaviors on the maintenance scale of the Self-Care of Heart Disease Index and the General Adherence Scale. Results: Self-care in the sample clustered best into three categories: experts, novices and inconsistent. Experts (n=34, 36.4%), reported the highest levels of self-care (89.2±6.3) and high self-efficacy (75.9±19.1). Novices (n=45, 45.5%), reported adequate self-care (74.3±8.2) but inadequate self-efficacy (59.5±20.2). Those labeled as inconsistent (n=18, 18.2%), had inadequate self-care (57.2±13.2) and marginal self-efficacy (64.6±18.7). Although all types reported medication adherence, experts were more likely to monitor symptoms, keep doctors’ appointments and engage in healthy behaviors (e.g, exercising,limiting alcohol). Those inconsistent in self-care were more likely to be overweight, not follow diet, limit alcohol or avoid cigarettes. Experts and novices were more likely to be in professional or managerial positions that afforded them increased job control. The model predicting self-care type was significant ( X 2 17.622, p=.001, Nagelkerke pseudo- R 2 =.22); self-efficacy and length of time with CHD were the only significant factors. Higher level of self-efficacy was associated with an increase in odds that subjects would be typed as expert (OR = 1.045. Length of CHD diagnosis was predictive of self-care type (experts OR=1.479; inconsistent OR=1.800). Conclusions: This typology suggests that targeted self-care interventions should focus on improving self-efficacy in self-care within the context of work especially in those with new CHD or low job control. Strategies to motivate change in specific behaviors (e.g., diet and exercise) are particularly important.