Self-Efficacy’s Impact on Pain and Fatigue in Black Women with Lupus
For Black women with lupus, research shows that self-efficacy – the personal belief that one is capable of accomplishing something – is linked to reduced pain and fatigue interference in daily life. In other words, women who believed they were capable of managing their symptoms as well as their medications and treatments reported that pain and fatigue had less of an impact on their daily activities than women who doubted their personal capabilities.
Researchers assessed data from nearly 700 Black women with lupus ages 18 and older. Those who felt less capable of managing their symptoms (low symptom self-efficacy), or less capable of managing their treatments and medications (low treatment self-efficacy) reported greater pain and fatigue.
Mood, age and education level also had an effect on these aspects of quality of life. Even in women with average- to high-self-efficacy, depression increased the intensity of their pain and fatigue. Additionally, those who were older or had achieved less education were less likely to benefit from feelings of self-efficacy.
When it comes to coping with pain and fatigue, the findings highlight both the importance of depression screening and treatment in Black women with lupus as well as the value of lupus self-management skill building. The Lupus Foundation of America offers two programs designed to help people with lupus feel confident and empowered to effectively manage their symptoms and treatments:
Click the links above for more information on each program and to sign up.
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