Self‐Efficacy in People With Chronic Disease: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis

AIM: To clarify the meaning of the concept of self-efficacy for people with chronic disease, I will use the existing literature. DESIGN: Concept analysis. METHODS: Systematic search in Pubmed, Scopus, and OVID databases (January 2018 to November 2023). 30 peer-reviewed articles were included in the study and analysed using Rodgers' Evolutionary Method of Concept Analysis. RESULTS: Five attributes were identified: motivation, individual perception, judgement, direct experience, and self-regulation. The most relevant antecedents were: educational level, social modelling, verbal persuasion, physiological and emotional states, coping styles, and health literacy. The consequences found corresponded to the influence on quality of life by enabling people to face life's challenges with confidence in their ability to handle stressful situations and overcome obstacles. Self-efficacy is thus a consistent predictor of self-care and treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: Nurses will be enabled to recognise attributes and antecedents to be enhanced in educational interventions to guide the target population in decision-making and problem-solving. Theoretical basis has been provided for future research on intervention approaches to enhance self-efficacy, and to develop a scale that reflects all of the defining attributes. IMPLICATIONS: Nurses using this knowledge to design educational interventions focused on identified attributes and antecedents of self-efficacy may improve treatment adherence and self-care in patients with chronic diseases, leading to improved quality of life. The development of a scale based on these attributes would provide a more accurate assessment and personalised interventions. IMPACT: The need for a clarified concept of self-efficacy was addressed. Five attributes of the concept were identified. This research will have an impact on: First, researchers intending to dig deeper into this; second, healthcare measurement scale developers as the need for a scale based on the attributes of the concept has been identified; third, healthcare professionals who assist chronic patients; and finally, chronic patients who will benefit from improved interventions. REPORTING METHOD: N/A. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.