The Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Well-Being in Stroke Survivors

The relationship between self-efficacy and well-being in stroke survivor’s stroke is a leading cause of death in the Western world [1], and is the most common disabling disease, having profound and wide-ranging effects on the physical, psychological and social aspects of an individual’s life [2-6]. The focus of health care professionals, particularly early in the period following stroke, is on physical functioning in rehabilitation. In contrast, difficulties in daily living, and the psychological and social problems experienced following a stroke are often overlooked [7-9]. When stroke survivors leave hospital and return to live in the community, they are left to face a new reality which often includes coping with physical and/or cognitive impairments, dependency on others, loss of identity, social isolation, diminished self-esteem, and fears about disfigurement and death [10-12]. All these issues may have devastating implications for the individual’s perception of competency and efficacy in daily living.