self-efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis: a model test study

Background: multiple sclerosis (ms) is a common disease among youngsters and self-efficacy is a crucial factor in these patients. various variables, including demographic characteristics and disease symptoms, affect self-efficacy. therefore, it is necessary to assess the relationship between these factors using a clear and comprehensive model. aim: this study aimed to investigate the self-efficacy model for ms patients. method: this descriptive-correlational study was performed on 203 patients referring to the iran ms society. data collection tools entailed rigby multiple sclerosis self-efficacy scale, krupp fatigue severity scale, and rosenberg self-esteem scale. data were analyzed by the spss 24 and lisrel 8.8. results: the mean scores of self-efficacy, fatigue, and self-esteem were found as 39.6±9.1, 38.1±14.4, and 19±7.6, respectively. the model fit indices, including the goodness of fit index, comparative fit index, root mean square error of approximation, normalized fitness index, non-normalized fitness index, and the degree of freedom for the chi-square were obtained as 0.9, 1, 0.002, 0.9, 0.9, and 1.03, respectively. results indicated an appropriate prediction for the paths considered to determine the relationship between variables. our findings demonstrated a significant correlation between self-efficacy and self-esteem (r=0.2), fatigue and self-esteem (r=-0.1) (p<0.001), as well as family support and self-esteem. moreover, fatigue was observed to have a significant relationship with marital status, hospitalization, and exercise. however, no significant relationship was observed between fatigue and self-efficacy (r=0.02) (p>0.05). implications for practice: the results showed that the bandura model of self-efficacy can be used for the demographic and clinical variables of ms patients. findings of this study can be helpful in developing and implementing instructional plan to improve self-efficacy in these patients.