Relationship between illness representation and self-efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports a patient survey exploring the possible relationship between illness perception and self-efficacy following a cardiac event, and the implications this could have for nursing practice.


BACKGROUND
Cardiac rehabilitation guidelines endorse the need to improve psychological care; suggesting that individualized support will improve the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation. Surveys, however, continue to identify that psychosocial factors are poorly assessed. Illness representation and self-efficacy are two prominent research approaches that have been developed as separate foci for the treatment of patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey with patients diagnosed with either myocardial infarction or angina over an 8-month period in two hospitals. The Illness Perception Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Cardiac Diet Self-efficacy Instrument and Cardiac Exercise Self-efficacy Instrument were used, alongside two specifically-designed scales: the Diet Outcome Expectation and Exercise Outcome Expectation Scales.


RESULTS
The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between illness perception and self-efficacy. The greater patients' perceived consequences of the heart condition, the lower was the general self-efficacy available to cope with the condition. Further, the longer the perceived time the condition will affect the patient, the higher the specific self-efficacy to maintain a change of diet or exercise regime.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings identify that, in the initial phase of recovery, nursing practice needs to focus on the key variables of "consequence" and "timeline" in order to increase patients' confidence in their ability to cope (self-efficacy).
European Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK. m.lau-walker@surrey.ac.uk
Margaret
M
Lau-Walker
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011594:Psychometrics; D020377:Self Efficacy