Cognitive Self-Efficacy Levels Distinguish Among Disease Severity, Pain-Related Function, and Perceived Health of Individuals With Fibromyalgia

Hana Karpin, Ronnie Deutsch, Yael Lahav, Tami Bar-Shalita

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Importance: Cognitive self-efficacy (CSE) refers to a person’s belief in their ability to recognize and manage cognitive deficits, such as memory, attention, and executive function, in daily tasks. Understanding CSE’s contribution to fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) symptomatology could identify barriers in occupational performance of individuals with FMS, enhancing precision and effective therapy. Objective: To assess CSE level and its clinical significance among individuals with FMS. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Community settings recruited via an online survey. Participants: Adults diagnosed with FMS (N 5 118) with no language barriers (fluent in Hebrew) were recruited. Outcomes and Measure: The Cognitive Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (CSEQ) was used as a classifier variable using cluster analysis. The dependent measures’ relationship with CSE included FMS symptoms severity and impacts on function (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), pain intensity and its functional interference (Brief Pain Index), sensory responsiveness (Sensory Responsiveness Questionnaire), and perceived health (self-rated health). Results: On the basis of the CSEQ, a high-quality cluster model identified significantly different high- and low-CSE groups, independent of age and disease duration. The high-CSE group exhibited significantly lower fibromyalgia severity and pain interference and higher perceived health. No group differences were found for sensory responsiveness and pain intensity. Conclusions and Relevance: CSE may have a protective value, implying function and efficient coping with FMS, thus contributing to both occupational performance and occupational therapy practice. The CSEQ was first used with FMS individuals, and findings highlight its clinical meaningfulness. Plain-Language Summary: Cognitive self-efficacy (CSE) refers to a person’s belief in their ability to recognize and manage cognitive deficits, such as forgetfulness or distractibility, in daily tasks. This study assessed CSE and its clinical significance among individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Results showed that individuals with FMS had lower CSE scores compared with healthy norms, with distinct high and low CSE levels. Those with high CSE experienced lower disease severity, less impact of pain on their function, better perceived health, and fewer work absences. Notably, participants in both high- and low-CSE groups did not differ in sensory responsiveness and pain severity scores. These findings suggest that CSE is linked to pain-related function rather than pain intensity and sensory modulation. The study underscores the importance and potential of targeting CSE in occupational therapy practice for individuals with FMS.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7904205010
JournalAmerican Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume79
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2025

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Occupational Therapy

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