ABSTRACT
The major purpose of this study was to determine the utility and construct validity of the Swedish version of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES-S). Ninetynine women with fibromyalgia (FS) were included in a randomized, controlled trial of fibromyalgia efficacy-based self-management education and physical training. Several self-report instruments were used to evaluate the outcome of the intervention. Evidence of construct validity of the ASES-S was revealed in the factor analysis which produced a three factor solution similar to previous results. Significant correlations between ASES-S and pre and post health status measures were consistent with theoretically derived hypotheses, further testifying to construct validity. Multiple regression analyses confirmed that pretest ASES-S was the strongest predictor of posttest ASES-S. The results indicated that the intervention had produced a significant change in ASES-S and that this positive change in self-efficacy was associated with changes in health status. In conclusion, this study has shown the ASES-S to be a valid measure of treatment effects also for patients with FS.
Subject(s)
Arthritis/psychology , Attitude to Health , Fibromyalgia/psychology , Fibromyalgia/rehabilitation , Health Behavior , Self Concept , Adult , Aged , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Fibromyalgia/physiopathology , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Education as Topic , Physical Education and Training , Prognosis , Self Care , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to test the validity of a Swedish Version of the Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale on two groups of patients: 25 patients with chronic pain and 24 rheumatology patients. Scores on the three subscales of the self-efficacy instrument--for controlling pain, for controlling function of daily living activities, and for controlling other symptoms--were correlated with indicators of present pain status and scores on the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scales. All correlations were in the direction predicted by self-efficacy theory, providing evidence for the construct validity of the scale. In addition the two patient groups differed significantly on the three subscales indicating evidence for the discriminant validity of the instrument.
Subject(s)
Arthritis/physiopathology , Self-Evaluation Programs , Adult , Arthritis/epidemiology , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pain/epidemiology , Pain/physiopathology , Severity of Illness Index , Sweden/epidemiologyABSTRACT
There is a great need today for clinically useful instruments in the rehabilitation of chronic pain patients. The Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale measures patients' perceived self-efficacy to cope with the consequences of chronic arthritis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a Swedish version of the Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale with respect to factor structure and reliability. Twenty-five chronic pain patients and twenty-four rheumatology patients were given a Swedish version of the Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale twice within a three week interval. The three factor structure of the scale was confirmed; Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency ranged between 0.82-0.91 and test-retest correlations ranged between 0.81-0.91, showing that the instrument satisfactorily met psychometric standards.
