Self-Efficacy in Children with Functional Constipation Is Associated with Treatment Success.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Functional constipation is a common pediatric condition.
• Self-efficacy, the belief in one's ability to succeed, is a key psychological factor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between self-efficacy and short-term treatment outcomes in children with functional constipation.
• To determine if self-efficacy levels predict treatment success.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 8-16 year olds with functional constipation completed the Self-Efficacy for Functional Constipation Questionnaire (SEFCQ) at three time points: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-week follow-up.
• Treatment success was defined by achieving at least three bowel movements and no fecal incontinence within the third week.

Main Results:

• 75% of children achieved successful treatment outcomes.
• Children with successful outcomes consistently reported higher SEFCQ scores than those who failed, both before and after treatment (P < .001).
• Self-efficacy significantly improved in the successful group, while the failed group showed improvement only immediately post-treatment, with no change at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Elevated self-efficacy is strongly linked to successful treatment outcomes in pediatric functional constipation.
• Interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy for defecation could be a valuable component of treatment strategies for children with functional constipation.