Predictor of self‐efficacy in individuals with chronic disease: Stress‐coping strategies

Aims and Objectives This study aims to investigate the relationship between stress‐coping strategies of individuals with chronic diseases and their self‐efficacy. Background Self‐efficacy and coping with stress in chronic diseases affect the course of the disease. Design The sample of this methodological study consisted of 178 patients who were hospitalised in a university hospital between November 2017 and November 2018. Methods Data were collected by the face‐to‐face interview method using a Patient Information Form, Stress‐Coping Styles Scale and Self‐Efficacy Scale. This study followed STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies. Results The study found that there was a strong relationship between patients’ coping strategies and their self‐efficacies and that the variables that predict self‐efficacy in order of importance were self‐confident approach (β = .41), the helpless approach (β = −0.24) and the submissive approach (β = −0.15), respectively. The study also found that the optimistic approach and the seeking social support approach had no significant contribution to the model. Conclusions The most important predictor of self‐efficacy in individuals with chronic disease was the self‐confident approach, which was one of the problem‐oriented coping strategies. Therefore, patients should be taught to use effective methods to cope with stress to increase their self‐efficacy, and their self‐confidence should be supported. Relevance to clinical practice In individuals with chronic disease, self‐efficacy has an important role to get better psycho‐social adaptation. To determine patients’ self‐efficacy levels and predictors will guide nursing initiatives.