Self-Efficacy Trajectories of Individuals Newly Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis

• Published in: Rehabilitation psychology 2023-05, Vol.68 (2), p.204-211
• Main Authors: Tingey, Jamie L., Valentine, Thomas R., Kratz, Anna L., Bentley, Jacob A., Ehde, Dawn M., Alschuler, Kevin N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Client Characteristics; Diagnosis; Disabled Persons; Female; Health Status; Human; Humans; Male; Multiple Sclerosis; Self Efficacy; Self-Management; Severity (Disorders)
• ISSN: 0090-5550; 1939-1544
• DOI: 10.1037/rep0000487

Purpose/Objective: The first year following a new multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis may be a critical time for individuals as they learn to manage their disease. Effective self-management of MS likely requires healthy self-efficacy levels, yet little is known about self-efficacy in the postdiagnosis period. This study aims to improve our understanding of self-efficacy in individuals newly diagnosed with MS by examining self-efficacy trajectories and identifying patient characteristics associated with trajectories in the first postdiagnosis year. Research Method/Design: Newly diagnosed adults with MS/clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) (N = 230) completed a battery of questionnaires, including the University of Washington Self-Efficacy Scale, at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, postdiagnosis. Sankey diagrams characterized self-efficacy trajectories and a multiple regression model tested patient characteristics as predictors of self-efficacy change scores. Results: Mean self-efficacy T-scores ranged from 50.79 to 52.04 (SD = 9.40 and 10.12, respectively) across the postdiagnosis year. MS diagnosis (vs. CIS), higher disability levels, and higher MS symptom severity were associated with lower self-efficacy levels at baseline. Baseline symptom severity predicted change in self-efficacy levels from baseline to month 12 (B = −0.05, p = .030). Conclusions/Implications: Self-efficacy remains relatively stable in the first year following a MS diagnosis, though high symptom severity is associated with decreased self-efficacy at 12-months postdiagnosis. Clinical characteristics (e.g., MS diagnosis, disability level) also appear to play a role in setting the course of self-efficacy in this postdiagnosis year. Timely interventions that enhance self-efficacy and/or improve certain clinical characteristics may promote healthy self-management of MS that carries forward in disease course. Impact and ImplicationsThis work seeks to improve our understanding of individuals' confidence in managing challenges of multiple sclerosis (MS) (i.e., self-efficacy) in the first year following a MS diagnosis. This line of research makes an important contribution to the MS population by focusing on an underlying construct that also serves as a promising target for early intervention, given self-efficacy is a key facilitator of healthy self-management. Our findings show relatively stable levels of self-efficacy in individuals newly diagnosed with MS and identify clinical characteristics (e.g.,