Trajectories of self-efficacy in persons with chronic illness: an explorative longitudinal study.
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.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
a Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics , Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
Tore
T
Bonsaksen
May Solveig
MS
Fagermoen
Anners
A
Lerdal
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy