Self-efficacy, Physical Activity and QOL in People with MS

Abstract

Self-Efficacy is part of the social-cognitive theory defined as the belief that one can successfully cope with challenging situations and attain certain goals. It has been suggested this principle can be applied to physical and psychological quality of life in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Objective: To examine if self-efficacy and physical activity have relationships with quality of life (QOL) in individuals with MS. Methods: 109 individuals with MS participated in this study. Each individual completed the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy scale (MSSE), the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and the Good in Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were computed for self-efficacy, physical activity and QOL. Results: The sample (n=109) was composed as follows, females (75%), relapsing remitting form of MS (81%), married (68%), employed (44%). Time since MS diagnosis was 7.6 years (SE=0.62). There were moderately high negative correlations between MSSE and QOL physical component (r=-0.65, p<0.01) and psychological component (r=-0.63, p<0.01), indicating that individuals with increased sense of self-efficacy experienced less psychological issues and an increased level of participation in physical tasks. There was a low negative but significant correlation between total time spent in leisure activity and QOL physical component (r=-0.21, p<0.05), but not for QOL psychological component. Physical activity has a negative correlation with physical impact of QOL (r=-0.21, p<0.05) and no correlation with psychological component (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that with increased self-efficacy there is an increase in QOL on both physical and psychological components, which is important for increased independence and functionality in individuals with MS.