The relationship between perceived social support and self-efficacy in patients with permanent colostomy

Aim: This study investigates the relationship between perceived social support and self-efficacy levels in patients with permanent colostomy. Methods: The study is descriptive and correlational. The research was conducted with 94 patients who underwent colostomy between April 2021 and August 2022. "Demographic Characteristics Form," "The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)," and "Stoma Self-Efficacy Scale" were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, and one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests were used to determine group differences. The Pearson correlation test examined the relationship between patients' age, perceived social support, and self-efficacy levels. Multiple linear regression analysis determined factors independently associated with the Stoma Self-Efficacy level. Statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05. Results: The mean total score of MSPSS for patients was 64.3±13.5, with a Family subscale score of 26.09±4.53, Friends subscale score of 19.61±6.6, and Significant Other subscale score of 18.61±6.29. The mean total score of Stoma Self-Efficacy was 71.22±20.21, with a Care Self-Efficacy subscale score of 44.39±12.21 and a Social Self-Efficacy score of 26.83±9.51. Conclusion: In our study, multidimensional perceived social support enhanced stoma self-efficacy in patients with permanent colostomy. Higher stoma self-efficacy scores were observed in patients with stomas for more than five years, those who performed self-care, those who did not receive chemotherapy, those who lived in urban areas, those with higher education levels, those who were employed, and those with higher income than expenses. Those with higher perceived social support scores were patients who lived with their families, worked, performed self-care for stoma, and had higher incomes than expenses. Keywords: Perceived Social Support, Surgical Nursing, Colostomy, Stoma Self-efficacy