The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale in people with arthritis

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Rheumatology
• Health Sciences

Background:

• Arthritis impacts individuals' coping abilities and psychological well-being.
• A validated measure of perceived coping ability is crucial for this population.
• The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) is designed to assess perceived coping ability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the comprehensibility, reliability, and validity of the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) in individuals with arthritis.
• To determine if the GSES is a suitable measure for assessing self-efficacy in arthritis patients.

Main Methods:

• Four studies were conducted to assess the GSES.
• Methods included item analysis, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability, and factor analyses.
• Validity was assessed using demographic, physical, psychological, and social dimensions.

Main Results:

• The GSES demonstrated a unitary concept, assessing a single construct.
• Higher generalized self-efficacy correlated with improved psychological well-being, both currently and over time.
• The scale's results were not influenced by age or physical health status.

Conclusions:

• The GSES is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing generalized self-efficacy in community-based arthritis populations.
• The scale can serve as a valuable indicator of general adaptation and coping outcomes in individuals with arthritis.