P1.009. Self-Effectiveness as an Adaptation Factor to the Disease in Patients With GERD

Topic Benign Disease: Gastro-Esophageal Reflux and Hiatal Hernia Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease is accompanied by severe emotional stress and high levels of anxiety and depression. Self-effectiveness is a person belief in their ability to act effectively. Self-effectiveness is important during preparation to the changes, associated with disease. The aim of our study was to investigate self-effectiveness as an adaptation factor and choosing coping-strategies. Methods 57 patients with GERD were included in this study: 22 females (38,6%) and 35 males (61,4%); the mean age 48,32 ± 14,42 y.o. After signing the voluntary informed consent, they filled the complex questionnaires: “Ways of coping behavior” questionnaire of Lazarus R. and Folkman S., a Short questionnaire on the perception of the disease by E. Broadbent, Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for illness of Rasskazov E. and Tkhostov A. All patients were devided into 2 groups according to the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for illness: 1 group with high level of self-effectiveness (with score more than 41 points; group 2 – with score less than 41 points. Results The high level of self-effectiveness was evaluated in 31 pts (54,39%) and associated with patients’ confidence in their ability to cope with the disease and view it as a challenge rather than a devastating threat. Low level of self-effectiveness – in 26 pts (45,6%), they perceive their condition as chronic and have more doubts about their ability to control the course of their condition, and they react more emotionally to their symptoms. According to “Ways of coping behavior” questionnaire patients released a wide range of coping strategies: patients seek help from others (49.32±11.06 points), which implies access to social resources and a focus on interaction; the avoidance strategy (48.16±9.84), which focuses on distancing oneself from the problem and reducing emotional stress, was almost as common; the acceptance strategy (42.01±9.93) was the least used. We found a correlation between self-efficacy and personal control (rs = 0.450, p < 0.01). Conclusion The study of self-efficacy and coping behavior allows us to identify patients who need psychological correction and psychopharmacological treatment.