Epilepsy self-management: a comparison of self-efficacy and outcome expectancy for medication adherence and lifestyle behaviors among people with epilepsy

The purpose of this study was to describe self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectancies toward medication, seizure, and lifestyle management behaviors among 108 adults with epilepsy. Participants responded to an adapted version of the Epilepsy Self-Efficacy and Epilepsy Outcome Expectancy scales. Modifiable behavioral risk factors such as confidence for following medication dosing schedule, planning for medication refills, coping with adverse effects of medication, getting sufficient sleep, avoiding alcohol, and obtaining social support were identified. A larger proportion of persons reported higher self-efficacy for medication management behaviors than for healthful lifestyle behaviors. Findings from this study extend previous research on chronic disease that showed that individuals may be adherent with medication therapy, but not with healthful lifestyle behaviors necessary for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Individuals with low self-efficacy would benefit from interventions that increase efficacy beliefs to enhance their ability to adopt and maintain good self-management practices. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.