Self-efficacy expectancy in adolescents with anorexia nervosa in the outpatient setting: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Self-efficacy expectancy in adolescents with anorexia nervosa in the outpatient setting: A cross-sectional study Abstract: Introduction: The population involved in this study are individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN). AN is a disease with sometimes life-threatening underweight. Self-esteem problems, anxiety and social problems accompany those affected. AN is often chronic. Hospitalized patients quickly gain weight, but often the underlying eating problem persists, which leads to rehospitalization. Studies on the self-efficacy expectation (SWE) of those affected are largely lacking. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the SWE in those affected in the post-hospital setting with reference to the age of the affected persons, the number of hospitalizations and the course of the disease. Method: As part of this cross-sectional study, those affected were interviewed in the post-hospital, psychosomatic setting using a standardized questionnaire "General SWE". The data were evaluated descriptively and by means of inferential statistics. Result: 85 young people were interviewed. In the sample, the SWE score averaged = 28.53 with up to and including three hospitalizations and = 24.68 with four or more hospitalizations. If the inpatient stay was only recently, the SWE score shows a lower value (= 26.08) than for those with a longer stay (= 29.00). Conclusion: The results indicate that SWE can influence the course of the disease in those affected. People with higher SWE values show a more favorable course of the disease with fewer rehospitalizations. The strengthening of the SWE is therefore of great importance in the inpatient and outpatient setting through targeted interventions by specialists.