The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors and Quality of Life in Individuals with Multimorbidity

Background: Multimorbidity may reduce quality of life due to physical limitations, treatment burden, and self-management challenges. Although self-efficacy is associated with improved quality of life in chronic conditions, its role in multimorbidity remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and quality of life in individuals with multimorbidity and to evaluate the role of sociodemographic and clinical factors in this relationship. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a single center in Türkiye with 366 participants. Data were collected face-to-face using a patient information form, the Short Form-12 Health Questionnaire, and the Chronic Diseases Self-Efficacy Scale. Relationships between variables were analyzed using correlation analysis and structural equation modeling. Results: Self-efficacy was strongly associated with both physical (β = 0.661; P < .001) and mental (β = 0.667; P < .001) components of quality of life. Self-efficacy also mediated the associations between sociodemographic and clinical variables and quality of life. Age (β = −0.188 for physical; β = −0.190 for mental), educational level (β = −0.216 for physical; β = −0.218 for mental), marital status (β = 0.055 for both components), and number of chronic conditions (β = −0.197 for physical; β = −0.199 for mental) showed significant indirect associations with quality of life through self-efficacy (all P < .001). Conclusions: Self-efficacy was strongly associated with both physical and mental components of quality of life and played a mediating role in the associations between sociodemographic and clinical factors and quality of life. Interventions targeting self-efficacy may help improve the quality of life in individuals with multimorbidity.