The effects of self-management education and support on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life among patients with epilepsy

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic disease and the most prevalent neurologic condition after stroke. Self-management (SM) is one of the main components of chronic disease management. It actively engages patients in the management of their problems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SM education and support on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life among patients with epilepsy (PWE). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2019. The participants were seventy PWE conveniently recruited from four healthcare centers in Shahrekord, Iran, and randomly allocated to a control (n = 35) and an intervention (n = 35) group. Study intervention was an educational-supportive SM program implemented in eight ninety-minute sessions followed by a three-month follow-up program. Data were collected before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. Data collection instruments were the demographic questionnaire, Sherer Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Quality of Life in Epilepsy inventory. Results: Totally, 33 participants in the intervention group and 34 participants in the control group completed the study. There were no significant between-group differences regarding the pretest mean scores of self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life (P > 0.05). Additionally, the variations of these mean scores across the three measurement time points in the control group were insignificant (P > 0.05), while the variations of all these mean scores in the intervention group were significant (P < 0.05). The between-group differences regarding the variations of these mean scores across the three measurement time points were also significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: SM education and support intervention are effective in significantly improving the self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life in PWE.