The Swedish Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES-S): reliability and validity in a rheumatoid arthritis population

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate aspects of reliability and validity of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES-S) in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) population. Methods: A total of 244 people with RA participating in a physical activity stkudy were included. The six-item ESES-S, exploring confidence in performing exercise, was assessed for test–retest reliability over 4–6 months, and for internal consistency. Construct validity investigated correlation with similar and other constructs. Results: An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.59 (95% CI 0.37–0.73) was found for 84 participants with stable health perceptions between measurement occasions. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.87 and 0.89 were found at the first and second measurements. Corrected item-total correlation single ESES-S items ranged between 0.53 and 0.73. Construct convergent validity for the ESES-S was partly confirmed by correlations with health-enhancing physical activity and outcome expectations respectively (Pearson’s r = 0.18, p < 0.01). Construct divergent validity was confirmed by the absence of correlations with age or gender. No floor or ceiling effects were found for ESES-S. Conclusions: The results indicate that the ESES-S has moderate test–retest reliability and respectable internal consistency in people with RA. Construct validity was partially supported in the present sample. Further research on construct validity of the ESES-S is recommended.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Physical exercise is crucial for management of symptoms and co-morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis.

• Self-efficacy for exercise is important to address in rehabilitation as it regulates exercise motivation and behavior.

• Measurement properties of self-efficacy scales need to be assessed in specific populations and different languages.

• Internal consistency
• measurement properties
• physical activity
• questionnaire
• rehabilitation
• rheumatology
• test–retest

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants in the PARA 2010 study for their contribution to the study.

Declaration of interest

Financial support was received from the Swedish Research Council, Combine Sweden, the Swedish Rheumatism Foundation, the Stig Thune Foundation, the Strategic Research Program in Health Care Research at Karolinska Institutet/Umeå University, Karolinska Institutet part time financing of doctoral students.

The authors report no conflicts of interest.