Trajectories of self-efficacy in persons with chronic illness: An explorative longitudinal study |
| |
Authors: | Tore Bonsaksen May Solveig Fagermoen Anners Lerdal |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norwaytore.bonsaksen@hioa.no;3. Department of Gastroenterology, Division of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;4. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway;5. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway;6. Research Department, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Oslo, Norway |
| |
Abstract: | Background: Self-efficacy is important for changing health behaviour in persons with chronic illness. Longer term trajectories have not been previously explored.Objective: This study’s objective was to explore the trajectories of self-efficacy in two different groups with chronic illnesses attending a patient education course.Design: The study design was a longitudinal, comparative cohort study with five time points during a one-year follow-up, using repeated measures analysis of variance.Setting and participants: Persons with morbid obesity (n = 55) and persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 56) were recruited at the start of patient education courses in Norway and followed-up four times the following year.Main outcome measure: The General Self-Efficacy Scale was the main outcome.Results: Obese persons showed a linear pattern of increasing self-efficacy during the follow-up period, whereas persons with COPD had an initial increase followed by a decrease in self-efficacy. Having paid work was associated with a more positive self-efficacy trajectory.Conclusion: The results provide support for the currently employed patient education course for morbidly obese persons. In contrast, persons with COPD may need more extensive and/or more frequent support in order to increase and maintain self-efficacy across time. |
| |
Keywords: | self-efficacy illness perceptions morbid obesity chronic obstructive pulmonary disease longitudinal study |
|
|