Self-efficacy and quality of life among stoma patients in Hong Kong

Stoma patients are vulnerable to poor psychosocial health outcomes owing to the loss of an important bodily function and the distortion of their self-image. We used a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and quality of life of stoma patients in Hong Kong and to examine the association between self-efficacy and stoma patients' sociodemographic characteristics. Using a convenience sampling method, 96 patients (mean age, 64 years) were recruited from 2 acute hospitals. Significant correlations were found between the Chinese Stoma Self-efficacy Scale and the Chinese Short-Form Health Survey 36 subscale scores (from r = 0.21, P = .039, to r = 0.59, P < .001). Significant positive correlations were also found between the 2 Chinese Stoma Self-efficacy subscales and all 8 of the Chinese Short-Form Health Survey 36 subscales. The results indicated that the self-efficacy and quality of life of stoma patients were correlated. Based on this study's results, self-efficacy is an important factor to consider in the provision of care to stoma patients. Specific interventions to enhance self-efficacy also need to be evaluated for their impact on the quality of life of stoma patients.