Development and validation of a self-efficacy measure for people with multiple sclerosis: the Multiple Sclerosis Self-efficacy Scale

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop and validate a brief measure of self-efficacy specifically for use with people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Self-efficacy is the subjective belief that one can overcome challenges that one is faced with. In order to incorporate the subjective experiences of individuals with MS, a 'patient-focused' methodology has been adopted. Open-ended interviews were used to generate potential scale items. Items were piloted on an initial sample of individuals with MS and reduced to 14 items on the basis of their perceived relevance to this patient group. The final 14-item scale was then used with a further 142 individuals in order to assess its psychometric properties. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.81, P < 0.001) and acceptable validity. Issues concerning the assessment of validity are discussed in terms of the scale's relevancy to individuals with MS and the theoretical issues around the construct of self-efficacy. The scale has shown sensitivity to detect change following a brief therapeutic intervention, with an effect size of 0.502. This MS Self-efficacy Scale could, therefore, be a useful tool in the assessment of psychological adjustment and quality-of-life of individuals with MS.

Developing a Wellness Program for People with Multiple Sclerosis

“…33 Although the MSSE was not used to assess self-efficacy in the current study, the FABQ scale could provide insight into how people perceive fear related to performing physical activities, 10 which may be considered a proxy for self-efficacy. Our sample reported good improvement in functional status, fatigue, and perception of fear of performing physical activities.…”

“…Our findings are consistent with those of other researchers. 17,33 Our group is considering the addition of the MSSE to our list of constructs assessed for future data collection.…”

“…For example, most outpatient rehabilitation programs emphasize improvements in functional status, but such improvements may not be the most important sign of the success of an intervention program. Many researchers investigating MS patient population characteristics study constructs such as fatigue, [14][15][16][17] depression, 4,16 somatization, 5,11,13,34 self-efficacy, 17,33 fear, 10 pain, 30 and functional status. However, these constructs should not be considered independent.…”

Positive thinking and physical activity motivation for one individual with multiple sclerosis: A qualitative case-study

“…One question using definitions of 'positive thinking' as focusing on the positive aspects of a situation, including the use of uplifting thoughts, images or sounds and 'choosing to think positively' as deliberately bringing these to mind for five minutes or more, without interruption, three or more days each week (based on Bekhet and Zauszniewski 2013). (Rigby et al 2003). Fourteen questions about control over quality of life specific to MS, with two additional questions in this study: "I deliberately choose to think positively in order to help me cope with my illness" and "I choose to take control of how I interpret my MS symptoms".…”

I Can’t Eat That! Sticking to a Gluten-Free Diet

“…Perceived self-eicacy has been applied to many diferent domains such as self-regulated behaviour, and patients with arthritis [9], physical activity [10], multiple sclerosis [11] or addictive behaviours [12] but it has received scant atention in relation to CD. Although Bandura [6] proposes a speciic self-eicacy expectation narrowly linked to each situation, some authors [13,14] work with the hypothesis of a more general self-eicacy belief that accounts for behaviour in diferent domains in life.…”