Self-efficiency level in stroke patients: Relationship with social support and functional status

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-efficacy level and functional status and social support in stroke patients. The data for this descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study were collected from 231 stroke patients treated at the neurology clinic of a university hospital. The data for the study were collected using the 'Patient Information Form,' 'Stroke Self-Efficacy Scale,' 'Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale,' and 'Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index.' Descriptive statistics, t-test for independent groups, One-Way ANOVA analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis variance test, Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis, and Hayes' PROCESS macro were used to evaluate the data. It was determined that the mean age of the stroke patients was 68.33±10.97 years, the mean score of the Stroke Self-Efficacy Scale was 17.86±12.81, indicating moderate dependence, the mean score of the Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index was 43.89±33.97, indicating severe dependence, and the mean score of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support was 58.36±21.32, indicating good dependence. In this study, it was concluded that as perceived social support and functional status scores increased, self-efficacy also increased. However, it has been determined that functional status plays a partial mediating role between perceived social support and self-efficacy. As a result, it was determined that stroke patients were highly dependent, had moderate self-efficacy levels, and had good social support levels. In order to improve self-efficacy and functional outcomes in stroke patients, it is recommended that care practices that will increase the social support levels of individuals be planned and that demographic variables such as patients' age, education level, and economic status be taken into account in these practices.