Generalized Self-Efficacy, Dispositional Optimism, and Illness Acceptance in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Ewa Rzońca,Agnieszka Bień,Gustaw Chołubek,Artur Wdowiak,Ryszard Szymański,Grażyna Iwanowicz-Palus

doi:10.3390/ijerph15112484

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common chronic endocrinopathies affecting between 5 and 10% of reproductive age women. A diagnosis of PCOS very often causes a deterioration in the woman’s self-esteem and self-image, and consequently her quality of life (QoL). The purpose of the study was to investigate generalized self-efficacy, dispositional optimism and acceptance of illness in women with PCOS and to explore factors that affect these variables. The study was performed between January and November 2016 among women with PCOS using health care services. The study used a diagnostic survey with questionnaires. The research instruments included the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and a standardized interview questionnaire. Among the PCOS patients studied, the mean score for generalized self-efficacy was 28.74 (±5.16), dispositional optimism—13.56 (±4.28), and acceptance of illness—27.90 (±7.74). The respondents’ generalized self-efficacy was determined by their residence, education, socio-economic standing, BMI, and time from diagnosis (p < 0.05), while socio-economic standing was a determinant of dispositional optimism (p < 0.05). Determinants of illness acceptance in women with PCOS included their residence, socio-economic standing, and time from diagnosis (p < 0.05). Increased generalized self-efficacy and dispositional optimism contributed to more illness acceptance in PCOS patients. The present study, compared with others on the subject, will enable specialists providing care to women with PCOS to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the situation and condition of their patients. It will also allow for a better response to the needs of PCOS patients, and provide them with individualized, holistic specialist care, diagnostics, and treatment.

Highlights

Every person reacts differently to the diagnosis of a chronic illness, in accordance with their individual characteristics
Living in a city other than a province capital, having finished one’s education at the primary/vocational level, having a higher Body Mass Index (BMI), and a 1 to 10 years from Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis (1–5 and 6–10 years) were all associated with a lower sense of self-efficacy in the women studied
Better socio-economic status predicted a stronger sense of self-efficacy

Summary

Introduction

Every person reacts differently to the diagnosis of a chronic illness, in accordance with their individual characteristics. Any illness affects the psychological state and functioning of the person diagnosed with it, and chronic illnesses are very often associated with a number of adaptations and changes in a person’s life and activities [1,2,3]. Significant factors affecting the acceptance of illness include a person’s belief in their capacity to adapt, their self-esteem, self-efficacy, optimism, and socio-demographic factors [1,2,3,4]. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2484; doi:10.3390/ijerph15112484 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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