[Theoretic prediction of drug safety and efficacy--drug efficacy].
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Animals↗
SEARCH · PubMed Health
Results for “efficacy”
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[Cooperation between public health, leading state and economic departments and social organizations for the improvement of efficacy and working ability. Aspects of cooperation of the efficacy sectors of public health--demonstrated on the cooperation between ambulatory and stationary fields].
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Disability Evaluation↗
[Criteria for general practitioners to assess treatment efficacy for urination problems of the elderly].
Criteria for general practitioners to assess treatment efficacy are needed to efficiently treat urination problems in the elderly. Recently, criteria have been developed for urologists to assess the efficacy of benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment using the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), QoL index and maximal flow rates. We examined whether these criteria can be applied to the general urination problems of the elderly men and women, with 85 male and 16 female subjects aged 50 and over. Furthermore, we set Level I criteria using the I-PSS and QoL indices. Level II criteria using I-PSS, QoL index and post-void residual urine in addition to Level III criteria using I-PSS, QoL index and maximal urine flow rate. Correspondence rates among assessments by these criteria of treatment efficacy were investigated. Ninety-nine of 101 patients (98.0%) were assessed properly using the Level III criteria but the efficacy graded as "fair" and "unchanged" in Level III in each patient should be "poor" and "fair" in reality. Our findings suggest that Level III criteria should be useful for assessing the treatment efficacy of urination problems of elderly men and women besides benign prostatic hyperplasia. All of the patients, whose treatment efficacy was graded as "excellent" or "good", and those with efficacy graded as "unchanged" or "poor", according to the Level I criteria, were appropriately assessed by the Level III criteria. Of 35 patients whose treatment efficacy was graded as "fair" at Level I, the efficacy of 6 patients was graded as "unchanged" according to Level III. All of the patients, whose treatment efficacy was graded as "excellent" or "good", and those with efficacy graded as "poor", according to the Level II, were also appropriately assessed by the Level III criteria. However, the efficacy of 11 and 4 patients of 38 and 35 patients, respectively, whose efficacy was graded as "fair" and "unchanged" at Level II, was graded as "unchanged" and "fair" according to Level III, respectively. We believe that simple criteria including only I-PSS and QoL index are useful for general practitioners to assess treatment efficacy of urination problems in the elderly. It is suggested that patients with efficacy graded as "unchanged", or "poor" should be referred to a urologist but those with efficacy graded as "excellent", "good" and "fair" should be treated continuously. However, 17% of the patients with efficacy graded as "fair" by Level I criteria might be judged "unchanged" from the viewpoint of urologists.
Aged↗
Pain coping strategies that predict patients' and spouses' ratings of patients' self-efficacy.
This study examined the relationship of pain coping strategies to osteoarthritis patients' ratings of self-efficacy and to spouses' ratings of the patients' self-efficacy. Subjects, 130 individuals having osteoarthritis of the knees and persistent knee pain, completed a pain coping strategies measure (the Coping Strategies Questionnaire), a measure of self-efficacy (the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale), and a measure of pain (the McGill Pain Questionnaire). Two sets of regression analyses were conducted, one examining the degree to which pain coping strategies predicted patients' self-efficacy ratings, and the other examining the degree to which coping strategies predicted spouses' ratings of the patients' self-efficacy. Several pain coping strategies were found to predict a significant proportion of variance in patients' ratings of self-efficacy: (i) ignoring pain sensations was related to higher self-efficacy for pain; (ii) coping self statements were related to higher self-efficacy for controlling other arthritis symptoms (e.g., fatigue or mood symptoms: and (iii) catastrophizing was related to lower self-efficacy for pain, and self-efficacy for other arthritis symptoms. Pain coping strategies were also found to predict a significant proportion of variance in spouses' ratings of the patients' self-efficacy. Specifically: (i) diverting attention was related to lower spousal ratings of self-efficacy for pain; (ii) praying or hoping was related to lower spousal ratings of self-efficacy for function; and (iii) catastrophizing was related to lower spousal ratings of self-efficacy for control of fatigue or mood symptoms. The findings regarding coping strategies were particularly interesting in that they were obtained even after controlling for pain intensity and demographic variables. The pain coping strategies identified are potentially important targets for cognitive-behavioral assessment and treatment efforts. Interventions designed to increase the use of adaptive pain coping strategies and decrease the use of maladaptive pain coping strategies could enhance self-efficacy, reduce pain, and improve the physical and psychological functioning of individuals having osteoarthritis.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Does a preceding hand wash and drying time after surgical hand disinfection influence the efficacy of a propanol-based hand rub?
BACKGROUND: Recently, a propanol-based hand rub has been described to exceed the efficacy requirements of the European standard EN 12791 in only 1.5 min significantly. But the effect of a 1 min preceding hand wash and the effect of one additional minute for evaporation of the alcohol after its application on the efficacy after a 1.5 min application time has never been studied. METHODS: We have investigated a propanol-based hand rub (Sterillium, based on 45% propan-2-ol, 30% propan-1-ol and 0.2% mecetronium etilsulfate) in three variations: with (A) and without (B) a 1 min hand wash before the disinfection of 1.5 min with immediate sampling after the disinfection; and (C) without a hand wash before the disinfection but with sampling 1 min after the disinfection. The efficacy of the three variations was compared to the reference treatment of EN 12791. All experiments were performed in a Latin-square design with 20 volunteers. Pre- and post-values (immediate and after 3 hr) were obtained according to EN 12791. RESULTS: The 3 min reference disinfection reduced resident hand bacteria on average by 1.8 log10 steps (immediate effect) and 1.4 log10-steps (sustained effect) respectively. Method A was equally effective as the reference (immediate efficacy: 1.5 log10-steps; sustained efficacy: 1.6 log10-steps). Method B seemed to be more effective (immediate efficacy: 2.3 log10-steps; sustained efficacy: 1.7 log10-steps). Method C revealed the best efficacy (immediate efficacy: 2.3 log10-steps; sustained efficacy: 2.0 log10-steps). A comparison of all three treatment variations and the reference treatment revealed a significant difference for the immediate efficacy (p = 0.026; Friedman test), but not for the sustained efficacy (p = 0.430). A post-hoc-test for the immediate efficacy indicated a significant difference between methods A and C (p < 0.05; Wilcoxon-Wilcox test). Hence, none of the treatment variations was significantly less effective than the reference treatment. CONCLUSION: An application of the propanol-based hand rub for 1.5 min after 1 min hand wash fulfills the efficacy requirements of EN 12791. The efficacy can be improved to some extent by omitting the preceding hand wash and by awaiting the evaporation of the alcohol which is clinical practice anyway. The preceding hand wash has the most negative effect on the immediate effect. Based on our data hands should not be routinely washed before the disinfection period unless there is a good reason for it such as visible soiling.
Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
Bully/victim problems and their association with Machiavellianism and self-efficacy in Greek primary school children.
BACKGROUND: Previous research demonstrated that Machiavellian beliefs are linked with bully/victim problems at school. However, Machiavellianism was treated as a single construct and not as multidimensional. Children's perceptions of self-efficacy in both social and academic domains have been related to conflictual peer interactions but not directly to bully/victim problems. This study extends previous work by examining the association of Machiavellianism and self-efficacy with bully/victim problems. AIMS: The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between bully/victim problems and (a) components of Machiavellian beliefs, (b) Self-efficacy for Assertion, (c) Self-efficacy for Aggression and (d) Self-efficacy for Learning and Performance, among school-age children. It was also examined whether children who bully others and are bullied themselves (bully/victims) are a distinct group in terms of Machiavellian beliefs and the above perceptions of self-efficacy. SAMPLE: The sample consisted of 186 children drawn from the fourth to sixth grade classrooms of four primary schools in central Greece. METHOD: Peer victimization and bullying behaviour were assessed by two 6-item self-report scales (Austin & Joseph, 1996), Machiavellian beliefs with a 20-item scale (Christie & Geis, 1970), Self-efficacy for Assertion and Self-efficacy for Aggression with two 6-item scales (Egan & Perry, 1998) and Self-efficacy for Learning and Performance with an 8-item scale (Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, & McKeachie, 1991). Higher scores reflected greater victimization, bullying behaviour, Machiavellianism and domain specific self-efficacy. Data were analysed using both correlational and categorical approach. RESULTS: Factor analysis of the Kiddie Mach scale revealed four main factors: Lack of Faith in Human Nature, Manipulation, Dishonesty and Distrust. The results of the correlational approach suggest that both bullying and victimization are associated with most of these factors, overall Machiavellianism and self-efficacy measures. Separate analyses for boys and girls provide a more precise picture of that association. The results of the categorical approach, regarding differences in the Kiddie Mach and Self-efficacy scales between bullies, victims and bully/victims, suggest that bully/victims are a distinct group in terms of Lack of Faith in Human Nature and overall Machiavellianism. Moreover, bully/victims were found to be similar to victims with respect to Self-efficacy for Assertion but similar to bullies with respect to Self-efficacy for Aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-bullying interventions might profit from a greater focus on mastery-oriented motivation and more emphasis on citizenship and interpersonal relationships in order to minimize children's aggression-encouraging cognition and reduce Machiavellian attitudes. Further research is needed to explain satisfactorily the behaviour patterns of bully/victims.
Aggression↗
Exercise barrier and task self-efficacy in breast cancer patients during treatment.
Understanding exercise self-efficacy in breast cancer patients during treatment is important for enhancing physical activity adherence. Therefore, the primary study purpose was to determine, among breast cancer patients during treatment, the psychometric properties of scales to measure exercise barrier and task self-efficacy. The study also aimed to determine the following: (1) level of self-efficacy, (2) associations between barrier and task self-efficacy, and (3) associations between self-efficacy and patient age, race, and treatment type. Eighty-six female breast cancer patients recruited from a medical oncologist's office completed the scales once, and 46 repeated the scales 2 weeks later. The majority were Caucasian (95%), with 26% receiving chemotherapy, 64% hormonal therapy alone, and 5% radiation/other. The mean age was 59+/-14 years. The Cronbach's alpha for the nine-item barrier self-efficacy scale was 0.96, with a test-retest correlation of 0.89 (p<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha for the four-item task self-efficacy scale was 0.89, with a test-retest correlation of 0.83 (p<0.001). The mean barrier self-efficacy was slightly to moderately confident, with the lowest confidence reported in the ability to exercise when nauseated. The mean task self-efficacy was slightly to moderately confident, with the lowest confidence reported in the ability to jog for 10 min without stopping. Although no significant associations were found between self-efficacy and participant's race or treatment type, lower task self-efficacy was associated with older age (r=-0.36, p=0.001). Both self-efficacy scales demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Self-efficacy may be a useful target for physical activity interventions among breast cancer patients during treatment.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy and compliance with medical regimen, number of emergency department visits, and hospitalizations in adults with asthma.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy and compliance with prescribed medical regimen, number of emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations in adults with asthma. METHOD: The sample consisted of 29 adults with a diagnosis of asthma. The relationship among knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and compliance with medical regimen was explored through use of a survey design. The Knowledge, Attitude, and Self-Efficacy Asthma Questionnaire and the Asthma Management Questionnaire that measured compliance were mailed to subjects' homes. Once completed, questionnaires were returned, and demographic data and number of ED visits and hospitalizations were obtained through a retrospective chart review. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between knowledge and attitudes and knowledge and self-efficacy. The more positive persons' attitudes toward their asthma, the higher their knowledge and self-efficacy scores. There were significant correlations between select demographic variables and knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy. Women scored higher on attitudes, persons with a college education scored higher on knowledge and attitudes, and persons with mild asthma scored highest on the self-efficacy scale. Compliance with use of peak-flow meters correlated with higher scores on the attitude and self-efficacy scales. The higher total compliance score group had significantly higher self-efficacy scores. In addition, higher self-efficacy scores correlated with lower numbers of hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: Attitudes and self-efficacy rather than knowledge had the most significant impact on compliance and number of ED visits and hospitalizations. The Knowledge, Attitude, and Self-Efficacy Asthma Questionnaire provides a means for nurses to assess patients' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding their asthma. Patients with low scores could be channeled into programs that would help them improve their ability to manage their asthma.
Adult↗
Self-efficacy and perceived exertion of girls during exercise.
BACKGROUND: An important national goal in Healthy People 2010 is to reduce the high prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and resultant overweight and obesity among girls. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was threefold: (a) to determine if pre-exercise self-efficacy predicted girls' perceptions of exertion during exercise, (b) to determine if these perceptions, in turn, influenced postexercise self-efficacy, and (c) to assess if exercise self-efficacy increased following completion of an exercise task. METHODS: A sample of 103 girls, 8 to 17 years of age, pedaled 20 minutes on a cycle ergometer at 60% of their predetermined peak VO2 in a climatic chamber (90 degrees F, 50% relative humidity). Ratings of perceived exertion were obtained every 4 minutes. Exercise self-efficacy was assessed before and after the exercise session. RESULTS: Controlling for peak VO2 and percent body fat, pre-exercise efficacy exerted an independent effect on perception of exertion during exercise with girls high on pre-exercise self-efficacy reporting lower perceived exertion during exercise, than girls low on self-efficacy. Both pre-exercise efficacy and perceived exertion explained postexercise efficacy. Exercise self-efficacy increased significantly from pre- to postexercise. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-exercise efficacy is an important factor influencing girls' perceptions of exertion during exercise and their postexercise efficacy. Increased exercise self-efficacy of girls following successful completion of an exercise challenge suggests possible strategies to increase physical activity.
Adolescent↗
Self-efficacy, symptoms and physical activity in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament injury: a prospective study.
Self-efficacy belief may be of major importance for the outcome of rehabilitation after sports-related injuries. A new instrument, the Knee Self-Efficacy Scale (K-SES), was used to evaluate the role of perceived self-efficacy in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The purpose of this prospective exploratory study was to describe the patients' perceived self-efficacy at various times post-injury and surgery, respectively, for responsiveness of the K-SES and to correlate the K-SES score with the patients' subjective symptoms. The purpose was also to describe the influence of gender, age and physical activity on the patients' perceived self-efficacy. Thirty recently injured patients with an ACL-deficient knee and 33 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction reported their physical activity level and their perceived self-efficacy on four test occasions during a 1-year period. The patients' subjective knee symptoms were documented on two of the test occasions. A significant increase in the K-SES score was seen after injury as well as after surgery, during the course of rehabilitation. Pre-operatively, men's perceived self-efficacy was significantly (P=0.013) higher compared with women's self-efficacy. Patients with a high baseline (pre-injury) physical activity level (Tegner 7-10) perceived their self-efficacy as being significantly (P=0.005) higher pre-operatively compared with patients with a low baseline activity level (Tegner 3-6). "Younger" (age 17-29), recently injured patients, perceived their self-efficacy as being significantly (P=0.034) higher compared with "older" patients (age 30-54). At the 12-month test, 15 of 30 patients with an ACL-deficient knee and 15 of 33 patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction reported that they had returned or nearly returned to their baseline physical activity level. The subjective knee outcome score, as measured by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), improved significantly (P<0.01) during rehabilitation, apart from the KOOS subscale of "pain" (P=0.077) for patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction. There was a "low" to "strong" correlation (r(s)=0.0-0.7) between the K-SES and the five subscales in the KOOS. We conclude from the present study that K-SES has good responsiveness with significantly increased self-efficacy during the rehabilitation process for patients with an ACL-deficient knee as well as for patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction. The improvement in perceived self-efficacy could, however, only be partly explained by the improvement in subjective symptoms. Furthermore, self-efficacy differed significantly with gender, age and physical activity level early in the rehabilitation process.
Adolescent↗
Predicting self-efficacy using illness perception components: a patient survey.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the measures of illness representation components in predicting measures of self-efficacy in patients with coronary heart disease. DESIGN: A longitudinal design was adopted with predictor variables and dependent variables (general self-efficacy, diet self-efficacy and exercise self-efficacy) measured twice while participants were in hospital and 9 months following discharge. Change scores of the predictor variables can be calculated and dependent variables at baseline can be controlled. METHOD: A cohort sample of 300 patients admitted to hospital with coronary heart disease were given the questionnaire measuring their illness perception (illness representation components: identity, consequences, timeline and control/cure and outcome expectation for diet and exercise); self-efficacy (general, diet and exercise self-efficacy measures), demographic and illness characteristics and attendance on a cardiac rehabilitation programme. The patients were asked to complete the questionnaire in hospital before discharge following their cardiac diagnosis, and again, 9 months later, when participants were expected to be functioning independently of any rehabilitation programme. RESULTS: Demographic and illness characteristics were found to have a more significant relationship with illness representation components than with specific self-efficacy. The relationship between illness representation components and specific self-efficacy changes overtime, consequence and timeline were significantly related to self-efficacy measures initially; however, symptom and control/cure were the variables that were significantly related to self-efficacy measures 9 months later. After statistically controlling individuals' baseline self-efficacy measures, demographic and illness characteristic effects, symptom and control/cure were found to make significant contributions to exercise and diet self-efficacy, respectively, 9 months later. CONCLUSION: A significant relationship exists between illness representation and self-efficacy. There is potential to integrate both approaches to the assessment of psychosocial factors to provide effective individualized care in cardiac rehabilitation.
Attitude to Health↗
[Efficacy of ofloxacin in sexually transmitted male urethritis and cervicitis].
Efficacy and safety of ofloxacin (OFLX), a new quinolone antibacterial agent, were investigated in cases of sexually transmitted male urethritis and cervicitis. Chlamydial infections occupied a large part of the patients enrolled. This study was conducted in 29 institutions. A total of 1,126 patients with gonococcal, chlamydial or non-gonococcal non-chlamydial infections were enrolled in the study. The general dosing regimen of oral OFLX was 100 mg t.i.d. or 200 mg t.i.d. for 14 consecutive days. Along with the clinical efficacy evaluated by doctors in charge, therapeutic and clinical efficacies were determined according to standardized evaluation criteria. The evaluation of therapeutic efficacy was based on bacterial eradication. On the other hand, clinical efficacy was determined upon the improvement in causative bacteria, WBC counts in smear (or initial urine) specimens and urethra/cervical discharges. Clinical efficacy was determined on 7 and 14 days after starting the medication, except for gonococcal infections for which the efficacy was determined on Day 3 and Day 7. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Efficacy evaluation by standardized criteria Therapeutic efficacy rates in gonococcal infections were 97.9% (93/95) on Day 3 and 100% (119/119) on Day 7. In chlamydial infections, the rates were 77.7% (363/467) on Day 7 and 93.6% (392/419) on Day 14. Chlamydial urethritis rated 94.8% (239/252) and cervicitis 91.6% (153/167) on Day 14. Clinical efficacy rates in gonococcal infections were 63.2% (60/95) on Day 3 and 95.8% (114/119) on Day 7. In chlamydial infections, they were 70.0% (327/467) on Day 7 and 89.7% (376/419) on Day 14. Chlamydial urethritis rated 88.5% (223/252) and cervicitis 91.6% (153/167) on Day 14. Clinical efficacy rates in non-gonococcal non-chlamydial infections were 93.3% (97/104) for male urethritis and 65.9% (27/41) for cervicitis on Day 14. 2. Clinical efficacy determined by doctors in charge A total of 1,028 cases, 752 urethritis and 276 cervicitis cases, was evaluated by doctors in charge. Clinical efficacy rates were 90.3% for urethritis and 92.4% for cervicitis. 3. Safety Safety evaluations was conducted in 1,087 patients. Side effects were observed in 23 patients among them (2.12%). None of them were deemed serious. General laboratory examinations were conducted for 169 patients. Abnormal findings were seen in 11 patients (6.51%) or 13 cases, all of which were minor. The results of this multi-center clinical trial demonstrated that OFLX is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of sexually transmitted disease (STD), both gonococcal and chlamydial infections.
Adult↗
Preoperative or postoperative self-efficacy: which is a better predictor of outcome after total hip or knee arthroplasty?
OBJECTIVE: Self-efficacy is considered an important determinant of outcome after total hip or knee arthroplasty. Aim of this study is to evaluate the contributions of preoperative and short-term postoperative self-efficacy in predicting long-term outcome. METHODS: Self-efficacy was determined in 103 total hip and knee arthroplasty patients preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively with the Self-Efficacy for Rehabilitation Outcome Scale (SER). The 6-month outcome was assessed with a disease-specific and a generic self-report questionnaire and an objective measure of function (walking speed). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the value of preoperative and short-term postoperative self-efficacy in predicting 6-month outcomes. RESULTS: Preoperative self-efficacy was only a significant predictor of long-term postoperative walking speed, with higher self-efficacy resulting in faster walking speed at the long-term measurement (R(2)=0.47). Short-term postoperative self-efficacy was a significant predictor of the long-term postoperative generic outcome measure (physical functioning: R(2)=0.30; mental health: R(2)=0.53) and of walking speed (R(2)=0.66), with higher self-efficacy resulting in a better long-term outcome. CONCLUSION: Short-term postoperative self-efficacy seems a better predictor of long-term outcome after total hip or knee arthroplasty than preoperative self-efficacy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Interventions should focus on enhancing short-term postoperative rather than preoperative self-efficacy.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Condom use self-efficacy: effect on intended and actual condom use in adolescents.
PURPOSE: To investigate aspects of adolescents' condom use self-efficacy that affect their intended and actual condom use. METHODS: Four hundred twenty-four male and female sexually experienced and inexperienced adolescents with a mean age of 17.0 years filled out a questionnaire concerning condom use self-efficacy and intended and actual condom use. Specific condom use self-efficacy scales were constructed from 37 items on the basis of a principal component analysis. The effect of self-efficacy, both as a global measure and in terms of specific scales, on condom use intention and consistency was assessed using multiple hierarchic regression analyses. RESULTS: Six specific self-efficacy scales were constructed: Technical Skills, Image Confidence, Emotion Control, Purchase, Assertiveness, and Sexual Control. In sexually inexperienced adolescents, global self-efficacy explained 48%, the six self-efficacy scales 30%, and both together 51% of the variance in intention, after statistical control for gender, age, and education level. In the sexually experienced sample, this was 40%, 50%, and 57% for intention, and 23%, 29%, and 33% for consistency of condom use. Significant predictors of intention in the final model were gender, age, global self-efficacy and purchasing skills in the inexperienced sample, and global self-efficacy, emotion control, assertiveness, image confidence, and sexual control in the experienced sample, whereas gender, age, global self-efficacy, emotion control, assertiveness, and purchase predicted consistency of condom use in the experienced sample. CONCLUSIONS: Condom use self-efficacy is a multidimensional construct. Intended and actual condom use in adolescents are best predicted by self-efficacy measures that include both global and relevant specific aspects of condom use.
Adolescent↗
The effects of a computer skill training programme adopting social comparison and self-efficacy enhancement strategies on self-concept and skill outcome in trainees with physical disabilities.
PURPOSE: The aim of this controlled, quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effects of both self-efficacy enhancement and social comparison training strategy on computer skills learning and self-concept outcome of trainees with physical disabilities. METHOD: The self-efficacy enhancement group comprised 16 trainees, the tutorial training group comprised 15 trainees, and there were 25 subjects in the control group. Both the self-efficacy enhancement group and the tutorial training group received a 15 week computer skills training course, including generic Chinese computer operation, Chinese word processing and Chinese desktop publishing skills. The self-efficacy enhancement group received training with tutorial instructions that incorporated self-efficacy enhancement strategies and experienced self-enhancing social comparisons. The tutorial training group received behavioural learning-based tutorials only, and the control group did not receive any training. The following measurements were employed to evaluate the outcomes: the Self-Concept Questionnaire for the Physically Disabled Hong Kong Chinese (SCQPD), the computer self-efficacy rating scale and the computer performance rating scale. RESULTS: The self-efficacy enhancement group showed significantly better computer skills learning outcome, total self-concept, and social self-concept than the tutorial training group. The self-efficacy enhancement group did not show significant changes in their computer self-efficacy: however, the tutorial training group showed a significant lowering of their computer self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The training strategy that incorporated self-efficacy enhancement and positive social comparison experiences maintained the computer self-efficacy of trainees with physical disabilities. This strategy was more effective in improving the learning outcome (p = 0.01) and self-concept (p = 0.05) of the trainees than the conventional tutorial-based training strategy.
Adult↗
Measurement and correlates of family caregiver self-efficacy for managing dementia.
Researchers in the aging field are paying increasing attention to the importance of perceived self-efficacy in understanding experiences and health-related outcomes of family caregivers. This paper details the strategy we used to measure family caregiver self-efficacy for managing dementia, and reports on observed associations between the resulting self-efficacy measures, caregiver depressive symptoms, and caregiver physical health symptoms. Family caregivers (n = 197) were interviewed after calling a local Alzheimer's Association chapter in the mid-western USA. Nine items inquiring about caregivers' certainty that they could carry out specific behaviors related to dementia care clustered into two distinct self-efficacy factors: symptom management self-efficacy (4 items) and community support service use self-efficacy (5 items). Internal consistency reliability for both factors was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77 and 0.78, respectively). Symptom management self-efficacy demonstrated a much stronger correlation with a published global caregiver competence measure than did service use self-efficacy (r = 0.49 and 0.27, respectively). In a multivariate regression model predicting caregiver depression symptoms, higher symptom management self-efficacy scores were associated with fewer depressive symptoms (beta = -0.17, p < 0.05). In a separate model, higher service use self-efficacy scores (beta = -0.20, p < 0.01) and higher symptom management self-efficacy scores (beta = -0.16, p < 0.05) were associated with fewer physical health symptoms. These new measures of dementia management self-efficacy hold promise for use in future studies.
Aged↗
Thinking about self-efficacy.
People's perceptions of their capabilities for performance, or self-efficacy perceptions, are a cognitive mechanism underlying behavioral change. This article addresses three questions in the study of perceived self-efficacy: Do self-efficacy perceptions generalize across situations? Do affective states influence perceived self-efficacy? Do people have a singular level of perceived self-efficacy in any domain, or are there multiple aspects to self-efficacy perception? These questions are answered by analyzing the cognitive processes through which people appraise their efficacy for performance. The research reviewed indicates that (a) self-efficacy perceptions generalize across idiosyncratic sets of situations relating to schematic personal attributes; (b) induced negative mood does not reliably influence perceived self-efficacy but does raise performance standards, creating efficacy-standards discrepancies; (c) distinct aspects of self-efficacy appraisal can be organized by distinguishing between perceived self-efficacy for executing strategies and for attaining goals.
Awareness↗
Pharmacological characterization of benzodiazepine receptor ligands with intrinsic efficacies ranging from high to zero.
Several benzodiazepine receptor ligands were pharmacologically characterized in a battery of functional tests after oral administration in mice, rats, and monkeys. Previous experiments have consistently demonstrated that diazepam exhibits high intrinsic efficacy, bretazenil exhibits intermediate intrinsic efficacy, Ro 42-8773 and Ro 41-7812 both show low intrinsic efficacy, and flumazenil exhibits virtually zero intrinsic efficacy. In the test battery used here it appears that nearly full intrinsic efficacy is required for clear anterograde amnesia or rotarod impairment. In contrast, full protection in the pentetetrazol test was achieved with intermediate-to-high intrinsic efficacy and nearly full protection with lower intrinsic efficacy. In the audiogenic seizure test full anticonvulsant effects were produced with intrinsic efficacy ranging from low to high. Clear inhibition of punished operant responding was observed for all test compounds except for Ro 41-7812 and flumazenil, which exhibit the lowest intrinsic efficacies. All of the test compounds enhanced palatable food consumption, with even those having low intrinsic efficacy producing maximum effects approximating that of diazepam. By additionally taking into consideration the degree of receptor occupancy required to obtain pharmacological activity in each of the tests in this battery it is possible to order the compounds with respect to intrinsic efficacy: diazepam > bretazenil > Ro 42-8773 > Ro 41-7812 > flumazenil. The latter four compounds all exhibited a maximum antagonistic activity in tests involving reversal of meclonazepam- or flunitrazepam-induced central nervous system depression. Thus, using these tests appears to permit the accurate ordinal classification of benzodiazepine receptor ligands for intrinsic efficacy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acoustic Stimulation↗