Abstract

The demographic, psychological, social and disease characteristics were analyzed to find the sources of self-efficacy(the expectation about one's ability to engage in or execute in a behavior) in the 297 patients with rheumtoid arthritis. Except for religion and client's job, the demographic characteristics such as age. sex, partner's job, income, and educatioa] level were found to be significantly related to self-efficacy. In the group of older age, female, lower income, job with less prestige, and lower educational level, the self-efficacy was lower than the other group. Depression which measured as psychological characteristics was significantly related to self-efficacy. Social characteristics, such as social support and relationship with health professionals, were positively related to self-efficacy except for social network. Getting a high score in the area of relationship with health-professionals means that the giatients perceive that they can express themselves or decide on their own activities as much as they want. Among the disease characteristics, only disease cLlration was not significantly related to self-efficccy. The self-efficacy shows a tendency to decrease with time. Pain was negatively related to self-efficacy, Possible activity level was positively related to self -efficacy. To analyze the variables which affect self-efficacy, stepwise regressicn was implemented. As a re sult, about 42% of the self-efficacy were explained by possible activity leveI, depression, social support, and pain in that order. Based upon these results, it is recommended that the nurses who are in change of or maintain the behavior of patients wth rheumatoid arthritis consider the demographic characteristics such as age, sex, et al. Also programs which decrease the pain and depression and increase the social support and activity levels are recommended to be developed.