Research Model and Hypothesis
This descriptive study aims to reveal the effects of self-efficacy in managing the disease and disease adaptation levels of FMF patients on satisfaction with life. The study tries to find answers to various questions as below;
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Does self-efficacy in managing the disease of FMF patients affect their satisfaction with life?
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Does disease adaptation of FMF patients affect their satisfaction with life?
The research hypotheses developed in line with the research purposes are listed below and the research model is shown below.
H1: FMF patients' self-efficacy in managing the disease affects their satisfaction with life.
H2: FMF patients' disease adaptation affects their satisfaction with life.
Study Design and Participants
This observational cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based questionnaire sent via Facebook and Instagram FMF groups between February 1, 2024 and April 25, 2024. The population of this study consisted of patients diagnosed with FMF at least 1 year ago in Türkiye. The sample of the study consisted of all FMF patients receiving outpatient or inpatient treatment.
Convenience sampling method was used in the participant selection of this study. This method involves the researcher selecting potential participants based on ease of access (Kılıç, 2013). The minimum required sample size of this study was determined as 385 with a 5% margin of error, 95% confidence interval, 80% power, and 0.05 significance level in the power analysis, and 423 people participated in the study. The inclusion criteria of the study included being diagnosed with FMF at least 1 year ago, being 18 years of age or older, being physically and cognitively able to answer the questionnaire, using web applications (Facebook, Instagram), and agreeing to participate in the study. All participants who met the inclusion criteria were invited to the study and the study was conducted with volunteers.
Data Collection Tools
Detailed information about the scales used in the study is provided below.
The Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Diseases: The scale developed by Lorig et al. in 2001is made up of 6-items. The scale is rated as 10 points ranging from "not at all confident" to "totally confident". The score of the scale is the mean of 6 items, and a high mean score indicates high self-efficacy. The Turkish validity and reliability study of the scale was conducted by İncirkuş and Nahcivan in 2020 (İncirkuş & Özkan Nahcivan, 2020).
Assessing Adaptation to Chronic Illnesses: The scale, developed by Atık and Karatepe in 2018, consists of three sub-dimensions as physical (1,9,10,13,14,15,16,18,22,23,24), social (2,3,5,7,17,19,25), and psychological (4,6,8,11,12,20,21) adaptation and 25 items. The scale is a 5-point Likert type ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". While the items 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23 are scored normal (as 1,2,3,4,5), the items 5, 6, 12, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25 are reverse (as 5,4,3,2,1) scored. The total score obtained from the scale is 125. An increase in the scores obtained from the sub-dimensions and/or the entire scale means that disease adaptation levels of the patients also increase (Atik & Karatepe, 2016).
Satisfaction with Life: The scale, developed by Diener in 1984, is a 7-point Likert type scale consisting of a single dimension and five items. The scale items are scored between "strongly disagree" and "strongly agree". The Turkish validity and reliability study of the scale was conducted by Dağlı and Baysal in 2016. As a result of the Turkish validity and reliability study, the seven-point Likert was reduced to five-point Likert (Dağlı & Baysal, 2016; Diener, 1984).
Data Analysis
All data obtained within the scope of the study were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) 22.0 package program (IBM Corp, 2017). Within the scope of the study, firstly, validity and reliability studies of The Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Diseases, Assessing Adaptation to Chronic Illnesses, and Satisfaction with Life were conducted. It was determined that the fit indices for The Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Diseases were at a good fit level (CMIN/DF:2.956; RMESA:.068; GFI:.982; NFI:.977; CFI:.984). It was determined that the fit indices for Assessing Adaptation to Chronic Illnesses were at an acceptable level (CMIN/DF: 3.123.; RMESA:.071; GFI:.841; NFI:.768; CFI:.827). It was determined that the fit indices for Satisfaction with Life were at a good fit level (CMIN/DF:1.031; RMESA:0.009; GFI:.996; NFI:.978; CFI:.999). Additionally, the Cronbach Alpha value was detected as 829 for The Self-Efficacy to Manage Chronic Diseases; .809 for Assessing Adaptation to Chronic Illnesses; and .879 for Satisfaction with Life.
Within the scope of the study, descriptive statistics were obtained and multivariate regression analyzes were performed. Durbin Watson Coefficient and Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) were calculated to determine whether multicollinearity and autocorrelation existed in the linear regression models. In all statistical tests, the alpha level was taken as .05.