In this study, psychiatrists at the David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles test a tool for measuring self-efficacy in children who have chronic pain. Self-efficacy is a person’s belief about his or her ability to do something.
A person with a strong sense of self-efficacy feels certain he or she can master a task or activity. People who doubt themselves have low self-efficacy. They give up easily and often when faced with new or tasks viewed as difficult or challenging.
The subject of this test was children functioning normally when in pain. Children ages eight to 18 were included. Each one had some type of chronic pain such as headaches, stomachaches, or chest or back pain. Each child and one of the parents filled out the same form answering the same questions. The questions were about the child’s ability to function while in pain. They were not allowed to see each other’s answers.
The questions measured the physical and psychosocial well-being of each child. Body pain, self-esteem, and mental health were tested. Self-efficacy for normal function when in pain was the main focus.
The parents and children rated the child’s self-efficacy about the same. This is what the researchers expected would happen. Children with high self-efficacy had fewer physical complaints and higher self-esteem. Children’s ability to function was not based on pain levels as much as on their level of self-efficacy.
The authors suggest that improving self-efficacy may be a better way to help children cope with chronic pain. For example improving a child’s sense of confidence may work better than other methods such as relaxation training.