Factors associated with disease self-efficacy in individuals aging with a disability

ABSTRACT

Self-management of a disability consists of treatment adherence, obtaining information about the disease and treatment options, caring for oneself, participating in decisions, and maintaining social relationships and emotional balance. Understanding and measuring an individual’s beliefs about their ability to successfully self-manage and live well with a disability allows researchers and clinicians to better target interventions aimed at increasing disability management self-efficacy (DMSE). The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between demographic and clinical indicators, and self-efficacy for DMSE in individuals with chronic physical conditions. Adults (N = 815) with muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or post-polio syndrome completed a self-report mailed survey assessing DMSE, perceived social support, depression symptoms, resilience, fatigue, pain interference, satisfaction with participation in social roles, physical function, and demographics. A cross-sectional regression model was used to examine the associations between the clinical and demographic factors, and DMSE. The model explained 67% of the variance in DMSE. Satisfaction with participation in social roles, resilience, pain interference, social support, and fatigue were statistically significant. Better social functioning, more resilience, and less pain and fatigue were most strongly associated with DMSE. Interventions aimed at increasing DMSE should include strategies for improving social participation.

KEYWORDS:

• Resilience
• aging
• muscular dystrophy
• multiple sclerosis
• spinal cord injury
• post-polio syndrome

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The contents of this manuscript were developed under grants from the Administration for Community Living, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (formerly NIDRR), grant numbers [H133B080024, 90RT5023-01-00, and H133P120002]. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. In addition, NIDILRR had no involvement in the data collection, analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, or decision to submit the article for publication.