Cecilie Fjeldstad and Gabriel Pardo
Self-Efficacy is part of the social-cognitive theory defined as the belief that one can successfully cope with
challenging situations and attain certain goals. It has been suggested this principle can be applied to physical and
psychological quality of life in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Objective: To examine if self-efficacy and physical activity have relationships with quality of life (QOL) in
individuals with MS.
Methods: 109 individuals with MS participated in this study. Each individual completed the Multiple Sclerosis
Self-Efficacy scale (MSSE), the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and the Good in Leisure-Time Exercise
Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were computed for self-efficacy, physical
activity and QOL.
Results: The sample (n=109) was composed as follows, females (75%), relapsing remitting form of MS (81%),
married (68%), employed (44%). Time since MS diagnosis was 7.6 years (SE=0.62). There were moderately high
negative correlations between MSSE and QOL physical component (r=-0.65, p<0.01) and psychological component
(r=-0.63, p<0.01), indicating that individuals with increased sense of self-efficacy experienced less psychological
issues and an increased level of participation in physical tasks. There was a low negative but significant correlation
between total time spent in leisure activity and QOL physical component (r=-0.21, p<0.05), but not for QOL
psychological component. Physical activity has a negative correlation with physical impact of QOL (r=-0.21, p<0.05)
and no correlation with psychological component (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that with increased self-efficacy there is an increase in QOL
on both physical and psychological components, which is important for increased independence and functionality in
individuals with MS.