scholarly journals General self-efficacy in individuals with visual impairment compared with the general population

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254043
Author(s):  
Audun Brunes ◽  
Marianne B. Hansen ◽  
Trond Heir

Background Knowledge about self-efficacy and its significance for the quality of life of people with visual impairment is lacking. The aims of the study were to compare general self-efficacy in individuals with visual impairment with the general population, and to investigate the association between self-efficacy and life satisfaction. Methods A telephone-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and May 2017 in a probability sample of adults who were members of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted. Participants were asked questions about their sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics of vision loss, general self-efficacy (General Self-efficacy Scale), and life satisfaction (Cantril’s Ladder of Life Satisfaction). We obtained norm data from a representative survey of the general Norwegian population (N = 1792; mean age 53.2 years; 52.5% females). Results People with visual impairment had higher levels of general self-efficacy than people in the general population (Mean: 31.5 versus 29.0, p < .001). Results from linear regression analyses of the visual impairment population showed that higher education and residential in an urban municipality were associated with higher self-efficacy. Having additional impairments and a previous history of physical or sexual assaults were associated with lower self-efficacy. A linear dose-response relationship was found between self-efficacy and life satisfaction, in the visual impairment population as well as in the general population. Conclusions People with visual impairment have higher self-efficacy than people in the general population, possibly due to extensive mastery experience in how to handle life as visually impaired. Self-efficacy seems to be important in achieving the best possible life.

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Mercedes A. Zapata

Introduction: In this study, the author examined the association between general self-efficacy (GSE) and employment status in working-age adults with retinitis pigmentosa (RP; N = 183). The author further examined the associations between employment status and factors that were previously found to be linked to employment outcomes in individuals with visual impairments: educational attainment, mobility tool use (i.e., use of dog guide or cane), ability to drive, age, gender, and age at onset of visual impairment. Methods: Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze cross-sectional data collected online in 2015. Results: Findings indicated that individuals with RP who have a bachelor’s degree or higher had significantly higher odds of being employed ( p < .01) and that individuals with RP who use a cane or dog guide had significantly lower odds of being employed ( p < .01). Although not statistically significant, findings further indicated that individuals with RP who have higher GSE had higher odds of being employed ( p = .07) and that individuals who are able to drive had 130% higher odds of being employed ( p = .06). Discussion: Results demonstrated an association between GSE and employment status, after controlling for factors that were previously linked to employment outcomes in individuals with visual impairment. Implications for practitioners: Self-efficacy is an alterable cognitive construct and may be the target of interventions to increase employment outcomes for adults with RP or other eye conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 184-184
Author(s):  
Huimin Xiao ◽  
Binbin Yong

Abstract Relocation to a nursing home is often assumed to be associated with stress for older adults. This study aimed to explore how stress affect psychological adjustment of nursing home residents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A sample of 386 nursing home residents was recruited from 11 nursing homes in Fujian Province, Southeast China. The Nursing Home Adjustment Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Resourceful Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale were adopted to collect data. The path analysis was used to analyze the relationship of stress, nursing home adjustment, resourcefulness, and self-efficacy. The results indicated that stress directly caused poor nursing home adjustment. It also indirectly affected nursing home adjustment through the mediators of resourcefulness and self-efficacy, respectively. Furthermore, chained mediation was found from stress to nursing home adjustment through resourcefulness, and then through self-efficacy to cope with the negative affect. The current study contributes to the understanding of the mechanism of stress on nursing home adjustment in older adults. To improve their psychological adjustment, additional focus should be placed on enhancing resourcefulness and self-efficacy in nursing home residents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 695-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Anners Lerdal ◽  
Trond Heir ◽  
Øivind Ekeberg ◽  
Laila Skogstad ◽  
...  

Aims: General self-efficacy (GSE) refers to optimistic self-beliefs of being able to perform and control behaviors, and is linked with various physical and mental health outcomes. Measures of self-efficacy are commonly used in health research with clinical populations, but are less explored in relationship to sociodemographic characteristics in general populations. This study investigated GSE in relation to sociodemographic characteristics in the general population in Norway. Methods: As part of a larger national survey, the GSE scale was administered to a general population sample, and 1787 out of 4961 eligible participants (response rate 36%) completed the scale. Group comparisons were conducted using independent t-tests and one-way analyses of variance. Linear regression analysis was used to examine factors independently associated with GSE. Results: GSE was lower for older compared to younger participants ( p < 0.001). It was higher for men compared to women ( p < 0.001), higher for those with higher levels of education compared to those with lower levels ( p < 0.001) and higher for those in work compared to their counterparts ( p < 0.001). Controlling for all variables, male gender and employment were independently associated with higher GSE. Age moderated the associations between gender and employment on one hand, and GSE on the other. The association between being male and having higher GSE was more pronounced in younger age, as was the association between being employed and having higher GSE. Conclusions: Male gender and being employed were related to higher GSE among persons in the general population in Norway, and these associations were stronger among persons of younger age. The findings are considered fairly representative for the Norwegian population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 987-988
Author(s):  
Francisco Lopez ◽  
Jason Leddy ◽  
Benjamin Han ◽  
Joseph Palamar

Abstract Older adults with visual impairment may be at risk for developing substance use disorder (SUD) as psychoactive substance use is often used to cope with the stressors of vision loss. This study estimates the national prevalence and risk of psychoactive substance use among older adults with visual impairment. We analyzed data of respondents age ≥50 from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized individuals in the U.S. (N=43,886). We estimated and compared prevalence of past-year use of cannabis, cocaine, misuse of prescription opioids, sedatives, stimulants/tranquilizers, alcohol use disorder (AUD), any SUD, and nicotine dependence between adults with visual impairment to those without. Comparisons were conducted using chi-square and we used multivariable generalized linear models using Poisson and log link to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for adults with visual impairment relative to those without, controlling for demographics and diagnosis of ≥2 chronic diseases. An estimated 6.1% experienced visual impairment. Those with visual impairment had higher prevalence of AUD, nicotine dependence, misuse of prescription opioids, tranquilizers, and stimulants, and SUDs. In adjusted analyses, vision-impaired adults had higher risk of AUD (aPR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.40-2.09), nicotine dependence (aPR =1.53, 95% CI:1.35-1.73), opioid misuse (aPR =1.54, 95% CI:1.26-1.90), and SUD (aPR=1.67, 95% CI:1.40-2.01). Psychoactive substance use adds unique health risks for older adults with vision loss, who may suffer significant psychological stress and loss of independence. Screening for substance use among all older adults with visual impairment should be considered.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanan Ma ◽  
Nan Yan ◽  
Hong Liang ◽  
Xirui Zhang ◽  
Wen Liu ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The level of stress and life satisfaction of medical students plays a pronounced role in their mental development. Unfortunately, some of them may face huge psychological pressure. To better understand how to alleviate and improve their psychological problems has become an urgent problem. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate whether and to what extent general self-efficacy was related to medical students' stress state and life satisfaction level. METHODS This is a cross-sectional, observational study conducted among medical students in grades one to four from a medical college in Shenyang. All of the information was collected by questionnaire, which included sociodemographic data, life satisfaction index B (LSIB), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Stress Response questionnaire (SRQ). Also, the questionnaires are demonstrated adequate reliability and validity. Linear regression models were used to calculate β and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjusting for potential factors. RESULTS A total of 1543 medical students completed the survey, including 441 boys (28.58%) and 1102 girls (71.42%). General self-efficacy was significantly associated with emotional response (β, -1.37; 95% CI, -2.24, -0.49), physical response (β, -0.60; 95% CI, -1.13, -0.07), behavior response (β, -0.78; 95% CI, -1.20, -0.36) and the total stress response score (β , -2.60; 95% CI, -4.39, -0.80) adjusting for confounding factors. A positive belief about life satisfaction was associated with general self-efficacy (β, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.70, 1.31). The association between general self-efficacy, stress, and life satisfaction were also found in the stratified analyses. Moreover, the current research also revealed the interesting interactions between general self-efficacy and confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS We observed the negative associations between general self-efficacy and stress, while the positive associations between self-efficacy and life satisfaction. Moreover, regular psychological counseling should be provided to medical students. However, it is also necessary to confirm our findings and clarify the potential specific mechanisms in future studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Nadia Tariq ◽  
Tamkeen Jaffry ◽  
Rahma Fiaz ◽  
Abdul Majid Rajput ◽  
Sadaf Khalid

Background: Indoor air pollutants are increasingly being associated with respiratory illnesses leading to high degree of morbidity and mortality. There are not sufficient epidemiological studies from Pakistan which assess level of awareness of indoor air pollution resulting in respiratory diseases in population. Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out on general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Sample size was 223 study subjects selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Knowledge of the study subjects was determined with regard to indoor air pollution, its effects on health and different sources of indoor air pollution with the help of a questionnaire. The influence of age, gender, educational status and socio economic status on the level of awareness was also analyzed. Results: Out of total 223 participants, 115 were males and108 females. Participants aware of indoor air pollution were 91.5% and adequate awareness about its sources was 80.7%. Those who knew indoor air pollution is detrimental to health were 95.1%. Awareness about building construction dust as source of indoor air pollution was maximum (84.8%). There was significant difference in awareness among participants with different monthly incomes and educational status and also between males and females. Conclusion: This study concludes that general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad has fairly good awareness about sources of indoor air pollution. Use of harmful material causing indoor air pollution should be limited or substituted with better ones where possible.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abdel Hameed Shahin ◽  
Rasha Mohammed Hussien

Abstract Background People’s perceptions of pandemic-associated risk are key factors contributing to increased public participation in disease preventive measures. The aim of the study was to investigate risk perceptions regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, among the general population. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 723 participants, recruited from the general population of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. Data collection was performed using a standardized risk perception assessment questionnaire, in April 2020. Results The mean score for the perception of COVID-19 seriousness was significantly higher and the mean scores for the perception of disease susceptibility and extent of anxiety were also higher among Saudi Arabian participants than participants from Egypt and Jordan. Participants from Egypt had significantly lower mean scores for the perception of efficacy and self-efficacy to cope with COVID-19, and significantly lower intention to comply with COVID-19 precautionary measures than the other populations. A significant positive correlation was detected between the perception of COVID-19 seriousness and self-efficacy to handle COVID-19, for the entire sample. The primary reasons reported by participants driving their willingness to perform certain preventive measures against COVID-19 was a feeling of responsibility toward their own health, followed by preventing transmission to other people and the feeling that COVID-19 can be serious. Most of the study sample reported a desire to receive information about COVID-19 treatment, ways to prevent disease contraction, and the incubation period for the novel coronavirus. Also, most of the study sample reported that they prefer receiving COVID-19 updates from national authorities. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, communications designed to promote the adoption of preventive behaviors should focus on increasing the perception of seriousness, the risk perception, self-efficacy to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effectiveness of the adopted behavioral measures for reducing risk. Health education programs that are tailored to various sociodemographic categories, to improve public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes, are vital for increasing the adoption of outbreak preventive measures.


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