[Relationship between self-efficacy expectations and socio-medical status of patients with persistent somatoform pain disorder (ICD-10: F45.4)].
OBJECTIVE
The object of this study was to investigate the connection between self-efficacy and socio-medical status as well as the connection between changes in both areas in patients with somatoform pain disorder.


METHODS
In the framework of a naturalistic design, a total of n = 316 patients with somatoform pain disorder were investigated at the beginning and end of psychosomatic in-patient rehabilitation regarding self-efficacy (Aachener Selbstwirksamkeitsfragebogen - ASF) and socio-medical status (application for pension, subjective need for pension, periods of sick leave, pain chronicity). The data were analysed by linear structural equation models in confirmatory factor analyses with cross validation.


RESULTS
The postulated model for correlation between self-efficacy and socio-medical status at the beginning of the in-patient treatment could be confirmed and showed a significant correlation coefficient between both areas. The postulated model for correlation between changes in self-efficacy and socio-medical status from beginning to end of the in-patient treatment could also be confirmed and showed a high correlation coefficient between both areas.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with somatoform pain disorder self-efficacy showed a significant correlation with the socio-medical status. Moreover, high correlations were found between changes in both areas. The increase of self-efficacy should therefore be a major goal in all therapies.
Edertal Klinik, Fachklinik für Psychosomatik und Verhaltensmedizin, Bad Wildungen. schneider@edertal.mediclin.de
J
J
Schneider
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010343:Patient Admission; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011379:Prognosis; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012718:Set, Psychology; D018582:Sick Leave; D012803:Sick Role; D012943:Social Security; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013223:Statistics as Topic