The role of self-efficacy beliefs in positive and negative perception of stress in coronary artery bypass patients

 Evaluating self-efficacy beliefs is essential to the post-operative care program in cardiovascular bypass patients. The present study aimed to investigate the role of self-efficacy beliefs in positive and negative perceptions of stress in coronary artery bypass patients.

The research method was descriptive-analytic, and its population consisted of patients with coronary artery bypass who were referred to the education and treatment specialist center of Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Birjand, Iran, in 2016. The available sampling method was applied, and 229 patients were selected. Data were collected using questionnaires of Zand's self-efficacy beliefs and Cohen's perceived stress. The data were then analyzed by SPSS (Version-23) using the Pearson correlation test, stepwise regression, and independent-sample t-test.

The findings showed a significant correlation between the variables of research. Among the components of self-efficacy beliefs, physical activity predicted a positive perception of stress (R=0.274). Moreover, physical activity and psychosocial stresses could predict negative perceptions of stress. The negative perception of stress and self-efficacy beliefs were significantly different between male and female patients (P<0.05).

 According to the findings, physical activity, as one of the dimensions of self-efficacy beliefs, has a positive effect on the perception of stress. Therefore, self-efficacy beliefs are valuable tools for health care providers and staff. Furthermore, evaluating patients' self-efficacy beliefs and improvements can increase their motivation to take care of themselves.