JNCR
Journal of Nursing Care Research

The mission of the journal is to contribute to the development of nursing science and care practices in Turkey and internationally. It is also to promote and disseminate new knowledge and research data for evidence-based care practices at all levels of nursing services. The Journal of Nursing Care Research deals with Fundamentals of Nursing, Internal Medicine Nursing, Surgical Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Child Health and Diseases Nursing, Mental Health and Diseases Nursing, Public Health Nursing and Management in Nursing and accepts articles on these topics.

eISSN: 3023-7270
Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International License.

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Original Article
Illness uncertainty as a determinant of self-efficacy among adults with chronic diseases
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to determine the relationship between illness uncertainty and self-efficacy levels among adults with chronic diseases.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 adult inpatients aged 18 years and older who were hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Department of a training and research hospital. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS), and the 6-Item Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression tests, with a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 68.30±14.15 years; 51.4% were male, and 58.2% had a diagnosis of hypertension. The mean MUIS score was 48.80±12.98, and the mean self-efficacy score was 4.85±1.81. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant negative relationship between illness uncertainty and self-efficacy (ß = -0.467, p < 0.001), explaining 21.4% of the variance (Adjusted R² = 0.214, p < 0.001). In the extended model, lower education and income levels, higher hospitalization frequency, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and higher MUIS scores negatively predicted self-efficacy, while employment, smoking cessation, longer disease duration, and regular medical follow-up were positive predictors. The final model explained 62.9% of the variance (Adjusted R² = 0.629, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: As illness uncertainty increases, self-efficacy decreases among adults with chronic diseases. These findings emphasize the importance of nursing interventions aimed at reducing uncertainty, enhancing self-efficacy, and supporting effective chronic disease management.

Keywords : Chronic disease, uncertainty in illness, self-efficacy, nursing, patient compliance, disease management

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Article available in :
Volume 2, Issue 4, 2025
Page : 112-118
https://doi.org/10.51271/JNCR-0039
Article Information
Received : 19 Eki 2025
Accepted : 07 Kas 2025
Published : 06 Ara 2025
Corresponding Author :

Canan Bozkurt Duman: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Balıkesir, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Bozkurt Duman, C., Acır, Ö., Cambaz, G., Güzel, Ş., & Alim, Y. (2025). Illness uncertainty as a determinant of self-efficacy among adults with chronic diseases. J Nurs Care Res, 2(4), 112-118.

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