Are high generalised and asthma-specific self-efficacy predictive of adequate self-management behaviour among adult asthma patients?

Palen van der, Job and Klein, Jakob J. and Seydel, Erwin R. (1997) Are high generalised and asthma-specific self-efficacy predictive of adequate self-management behaviour among adult asthma patients? Patient Education and Counseling, 32 (1). pp. 35-41. ISSN 0738-3991

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Abstract:	In asthma self-management training, often self-treatment guidelines are included, because increased knowledge of asthma alone is not sufficient to change behaviour. One way to achieve behavioural changes is by increasing the patient's general and asthma-specific self-efficacy expectancies. This refers to beliefs in one's capabilities to execute the recommended course of action successfully. We wanted to assess whether high generalised and asthma-specific self-efficacy expectancies were predictive of adequate self-management and self-treatment behaviour. A questionnaire was sent to 4563 persons (18¿65 years) who had used inhaled medication in 1993. Self-management and self-treatment behaviour were operationalised through a hypothetical scenario of a slow-onset asthma exacerbation. Of all 1262 asthmatic patients, 39.3% showed adequate self-treatment behaviour (self-adjusting their inhaled or oral steroids when appropriate). Age, asthma-specific outcome expectancies and knowledge were predictive of adequate self-treatment. Adequate self-management behaviour (self-treatment or seeking medical help) was observed in 56.4% of patients. Intentions towards self-management and asthma-specific knowledge were significant. Only knowledge has a relevant influence on both. Asthma-specific knowledge is the only factor that seems relevant for adequate self-management and self-treatment behaviour, which might be explained by the hypothetical nature of the scenario. When patients experience a real asthma exacerbation, self-efficacy expectancies will become more important. Only if knowledge of what to do is present will patients be able to show proper self-management and self-treatment behaviour. Our results suggest that self-treatment guidelines are only effective in combination with patient education, which is important for optimal control of their disease.
Item Type:	Article
Copyright:	© 1997 Elsevier Science
Faculty:	Behavioural Sciences (BS)
Research Group:	Psychology, Health & Technology (PHT)
Link to this item:	http://purl.utwente.nl/publications/34250
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0738-3991(97)00094-3
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