Structural equation modeling of the impact of disease activity on inflammatory bowel disease control: the mediating roles of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors

Background Maintaining effective disease control in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is both a significant goal and challenge. Drawing on the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (CSM) and related research, this study investigates how IBD activity status influences disease control through both direct and indirect pathways. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 310 IBD patients who attended a tertiary general hospital, the leader of the IBD Alliance Group in Chongqing City, between March and August 2024. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to assess the role and magnitude of various influencing factor pathways. Relying on AMOS26 software, the path effects and magnitude of various factors in the disease control process were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test hypothetical models. Results A total of 306 valid questionnaires were collected, with a mean IBD-control score of 12.14 +/- 3.665. There was a negative link between disease activity and IBD-control (P < 0.01) and a positive correlation between chronic illness management self-efficacy, IBD self-management behavior, and IBD-control (P < 0.01). Path analysis showed that IBD activity negatively predicted IBD control (beta = -0.715, P = 0.01). Chronic disease management self-efficacy partially mediated this relationship (beta = -0.071, P = 0.012). A significant chain-mediated pathway was identified, where IBD activity affected IBD control via self-efficacy guided by self-management behavior (beta = -0.025, P = 0.007). However, the pathway where IBD activity influenced control through self-efficacy and subsequently self-management behavior showed only marginal significance (P = 0.074). Conclusion Effective self-management behaviors improve IBD control. High disease activity may reduce chronic disease management self-efficacy, impairing IBD control. Positive feedback loops involving self-management behaviors and enhanced self-efficacy are crucial for better disease control, as patients who perceive positive outcomes are more motivated to maintain these behaviors.