Self-efficacy and health

Findings from several areas of research show that the effects of therapeutic interventions on health behavior are partly mediated by changes in perceived self-efficacy, a cognitive factor affecting health.

Abstract

This article reviews the findings of different lines of research applying self-efficacy theory to various facets of health behavior. Perceived self-efficacy concerns patients' judgments of their coping capabilities in designated areas of functioning. Converging findings from several areas of research show that the effects of therapeutic interventions on health behavior are partly mediated by changes in perceived self-efficacy. Perceived self-efficacy has been shown to play a significant role in such diverse forms of health behavior as smoking-cessation relapse, pain experience and management, control of eating and weight, success of recovery from myocardial infarction and adherence to preventive health programs. These results point to the importance of perceived self-efficacy as a cognitive factor affecting health.