Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate aspects of reliability and validity of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES-S) in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) population. Methods: A total of 244 people with RA participating in a physical activity stkudy were included. The six-item ESES-S, exploring confidence in performing exercise, was assessed for test–retest reliability over 4–6 months, and for internal consistency. Construct validity investigated correlation with similar and other constructs. Results: An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.59 (95% CI 0.37–0.73) was found for 84 participants with stable health perceptions between measurement occasions. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.87 and 0.89 were found at the first and second measurements. Corrected item-total correlation single ESES-S items ranged between 0.53 and 0.73. Construct convergent validity for the ESES-S was partly confirmed by correlations with health-enhancing physical activity and outcome expectations respectively (Pearson’s r = 0.18, p < 0.01). Construct divergent validity was confirmed by the absence of correlations with age or gender. No floor or ceiling effects were found for ESES-S. Conclusions: The results indicate that the ESES-S has moderate test–retest reliability and respectable internal consistency in people with RA. Construct validity was partially supported in the present sample. Further research on construct validity of the ESES-S is recommended.Implications for RehabilitationPhysical exercise is crucial for management of symptoms and co-morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis.Self-efficacy for exercise is important to address in rehabilitation as it regulates exercise motivation and behavior.Measurement properties of self-efficacy scales need to be assessed in specific populations and different languages.
Highlights
The positive effects of physical activity for individual and population health are well documented [1]
The inclusion criteria were: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria [27], 18–75 years and independent in daily activities measured by Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ) scores 2 [26]
This study provides new knowledge on the measurement properties of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES-S) in people with RA
Summary
The positive effects of physical activity for individual and population health are well documented [1]. One psychological mediator of physical activity is self-efficacy [14,15], defined as peoples’ judgments of their capabilities to organize and apply courses of action that are required to produce given attainments [16]. It operates to regulate human motivation, behavior and well-being. Self-efficacy influences other determinants such as goals and aspirations [17], and is associated with psychological determinants of physical activity such as fear-avoidance [18], outcome expectations [17,19,20] and anxiety/depressive states [21]
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