R Marks1. 1. Department of Health and Behaviour, Columbia University, Teachers College, New York, NY 10027, USA. rm226@columbia.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: Self-efficacy, a cognitive construct implicating one's self-perception about one's performance ability, has been found to be a significant predictor of psychological well-being, adherence to prescribed treatments, and pain coping mechanisms of persons with arthritis. Heightened self-efficacy may also ameliorate arthritis-related symptoms of fatigue and depression, and preserve function and prolong physical well-being. METHODS: To elaborate upon the utility of self-efficacy enhancing strategies as this pertains to ameliorating arthritis-related disability, this paper examined the related literature on this topic and detailed the outcomes and nature of those self-efficacy enhancing strategies that have been incorporated into arthritis treatment regimens. RESULTS: Despite limitations in the prevailing database, results indicated: (1) self-efficacy is potentially a potent predictor of the overall health status of the person with arthritis; and (2) carefully designed self-efficacy enhancing strategies are likely to impact favourably upon the magnitude of the disability experienced by individuals with arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: In relation to maximizing the therapeutic outcomes for disabling arthritis, the concept of self-efficacy is very worthy of the clinical practitioners and the clinical researchers attention.
PURPOSE: Self-efficacy, a cognitive construct implicating one's self-perception about one's performance ability, has been found to be a significant predictor of psychological well-being, adherence to prescribed treatments, and pain coping mechanisms of persons with arthritis. Heightened self-efficacy may also ameliorate arthritis-related symptoms of fatigue and depression, and preserve function and prolong physical well-being. METHODS: To elaborate upon the utility of self-efficacy enhancing strategies as this pertains to ameliorating arthritis-related disability, this paper examined the related literature on this topic and detailed the outcomes and nature of those self-efficacy enhancing strategies that have been incorporated into arthritis treatment regimens. RESULTS: Despite limitations in the prevailing database, results indicated: (1) self-efficacy is potentially a potent predictor of the overall health status of the person with arthritis; and (2) carefully designed self-efficacy enhancing strategies are likely to impact favourably upon the magnitude of the disability experienced by individuals with arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: In relation to maximizing the therapeutic outcomes for disabling arthritis, the concept of self-efficacy is very worthy of the clinical practitioners and the clinical researchers attention.
Authors: Rebecca A Shelby; Tamara J Somers; Francis J Keefe; Jennifer J Pells; Kim E Dixon; James A Blumenthal Journal: J Pain Date: 2008-07-07 Impact factor: 5.820
Authors: Jennifer J Pells; Rebecca A Shelby; Francis J Keefe; Kim E Dixon; James A Blumenthal; Lara LaCaille; Jessica M Tucker; Daniel Schmitt; David S Caldwell; Virginia B Kraus Journal: Pain Date: 2007-08-30 Impact factor: 7.926