Background Self-efficacy, as one of the concepts of empowerment model, plays a role in increasing the caring behavior. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational intervention based on self-efficacy theory on the caring behavior of mothers having children with cancer. Methods This before-after clinical trial study was conducted on all mothers (N = 86) of children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy who referred to Bandar Abbas Children's Hospital. All mothers participate in four educational intervention sessions. The Shearer's self-efficacy questionnaire and "mothers caring behavior scale" were completed at the 1rst and 3rd and 6th months after intervention. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures and a linear mixed model were used to assess the effect of time and self-efficacy on the caring behavior adjusting for family size, mother’s age, mother’s job, mother’s education, and chemo-therapy session. Results The results indicated a significant difference in the mean score of mothers' self-efficacy after intervention (P < 0.001). Besides, the two-way self-efficacy score of the first and second follow-ups was p = 0.096. Furthermore, the mean score of caring behavior before and after the intervention indicated a significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusion The results of the present study indicated that an educational program for mothers increased their caring behavior and self-efficacy with the increase of self-efficacy, mothers' caring behavior was promoted. Authorities and practitioners are suggested to pay more attention to designing educational programs based on health models and theories.

Introduction: The role of parents, especially mothers, in caring for a child with cancer undergoing chemotherapy during and after treatment is important. Proper caring behavior will be enhanced through self-efficacy and interventions can increase self-efficacy and subsequently caring behavior will change. This study aimed to determine the relationship between selfefficacy and caring behavior of mothers of children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This Cross-Sectional study was of correlational type. Statistical population consisted of all mothers (86 subjects) of children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Bandar Abbas children hospital in 2017. Data were collected by a researcher-made self caring and general self-efficacy questionnaires which were completed by mothers and finally analyzed by SPSS software using Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, and ANOVA tests. Results: According to the results, 57% of mothers were in good condition regarding self-efficacy and caring behavior. There was a significant relationship between maternal caring behavior with age (P-value = 0.03), maternal education (P-value = 0.02), and number of chemotherapy sessions (P-value = 0.005). There was a positive and significant correlation between self-efficacy and caring behavior of mothers (P-value <0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that mothers' caring behavior was in good condition and due to the importance of selfefficacy, it seems that interventions based on self-efficacy theory could make mothers more capable and better caregivers.

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