A number of studies on self-efficacy are being conducted by nurses. Wen and coworkers examined the effect of self-efficacy on depression and considered the mediating effect of self-care behavior in kidney transplant patients. Depression is a problem for kidney transplant recipients and can compromise their quality of life. From other studies on chronic illnesses, self-efficacy and self-care behavior are considered to be potential determinants for depressive symptoms. However, none of the previous studies have investigated the relationships among these variables in kidney transplantation recipients. The researchers investigated one hundred and seventy-seven persons who had received a kidney transplant. A self-administrated questionnaire and a medical record audit were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using correlation and hierarchical linear regression methods. The average score of depressive symptoms was 8.61, SD 7.64. Among the participants, 32.8% had scores of depressive symptoms higher than 11 (indicating mild to severe symptoms of depression). Self-efficacy and self-care behavior had direct negative effects on depressive symptoms. Self-care behavior had partial mediating effect on the relationship between self-efficacy and depression.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU: Depressive symptoms are a problem that needs to be addressed in kidney transplantation patients (as well as in patients with other chronic conditions). Patients who have higher self-efficacy and higher self-care behavior will usually have lower depressive symptoms. Wen and colleagues found that self-efficacy was the significant predictor of depressive symptoms. They suggested the incorporation of self-efficacy-enhanced strategies into the kidney transplantation care program. A similar suggestion could be made regarding any self-management program developed and implemented for any chronic condition.

LC Wen et al. Effects of self-efficacy, self-care behaviors on depressive symptom of Taiwanese kidney transplant recipients. Journal of Clinical Nursing, February 11, 2008