The impact of self- efficacy on negative automatic thoughts and quality of life in cancer patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the impact of self-efficacy on negative automatic thoughts and quality of life in cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Methods 106 patients who diagnosed cancer and received chemotherapy were assessed by General Self-Efficacy Scale ( GSES), WHO quality of life questionnaire-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire(ATQ) . According to the score of GSES, the highest 27% were assigned to higher scores group, and the lowest 27% were assigned to lower scores group, then compared two groups' WHOQOL-BREF and ATQ with t -test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results The mean score of GSES of 106 patients was ( 22.32 ± 8.61 ) points, and the low self-confidence were 55.66%, the mean score of GSES of higher scores group was( 28.64 ± 7.64)points, and the lower scores group was (21.37 ± 5.78 )points, and the two groups have significant difference ( t = 4.18, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The score of ATQ of higher scores group(63.71 ±7.94) was significantly lower than that of lower scores group(86.57 ±9.87), the total and all dimensions score of WHOQOL-BREF of higher scores group was higher than that of lower scores group, respectively.The score of GSES had positive correlation with the score of WHOQOL-BREF , and had negative correlation with the score of ATQ. Conclusion Cancer patients have lower level of self-efficacy, and it is closed correlated with quality of life and negative automatic thoughts. Key words: Neoplasm; Self-efficacy; Negative automatic thoughts; Quality of life