Self-efficacy for managing hypertension and comorbid conditions

BACKGROUND Self-efficacy is defined an individual’s belief in completing necessary actions to achieve the desired goal. For individuals with hypertension and other chronic conditions, self-efficacy has been an essential factor to predict adherence to treatment behaviors.AIM To examine self-efficacy for managing chronic conditions in individuals with hypertension.METHODS A total of 1087 individuals with chronic conditions in two groups(hypertension and non-hypertension groups) were selected in this study. The two groups’ selfefficacy for managing chronic conditions were investigated using the five domains of patient reported outcomes measurement information system selfefficacy for managing chronic conditions measures(PROMIS-SE); daily activities,emotions, medication and treatment, social interactions, and symptoms. Also, the relationships between self-efficacy and other health-related outcomes for the hypertension group were examined using structural equation modeling.RESULTS Among 1087 participants, 437 reported having hypertension. The hypertension and non-hypertension groups were statistically different in self-efficacy formanaging daily activities [F(1, 598) = 5.63, P < 0.05]. Structural equation modeling indicated that for individuals with hypertension, two domains of PROMIS-SE(managing daily activities and emotions) significantly predict global physical health(P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 sequentially), and one domain(managing emotions) significantly predicts mental health(P < 0.001). Hypertension patients’ general quality of life was significantly predicted by global physical health(P <0.001) and mental health(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION The hypertension group reported deficits in self-efficacy in managing daily activities as compared to the non-hypertension group. In this hypertension group, self-efficacy functioned as an indirect predictor of general quality of life,mediated by global physical and mental health.