LE3 .A278 2019

2019

Holmberg, Diane

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Psychology

Psychology

This thesis, completed in response to rising incidences of heart disease, is part of a larger study of factors predicting successful outcomes following participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program involving both patients and their support partners. Data were collected using self-report surveys, along with 6-minute walk test results collected by hospital staff. In this study, both self-efficacy (i.e. belief in one’s self) and relation-inferred self-efficacy (RISE; i.e. the perceptions the patient has of their partners belief in them) were examined to determine how they relate to outcomes and whether agreement between the two variables predicts better outcomes overall. Main hypotheses stemming from the previous literature include: (a) higher self-efficacy and RISE will both be related to better outcomes; (b) congruency between self-efficacy and RISE will be associated with better outcomes, particularly when the congruence is found at higher levels of self-efficacy and RISE; and (c) should there be discrepancy between the variables, higher RISE will be associated with better outcomes. The data were analyzed using polynomial regression with response surface analysis with two separate outcome variables of self-reported exercise and 6-minute walk test. Results pertaining to the 6-minute walk test were not statistically significant. With self-reported exercise as the outcome variable, (a) correlational results were insignificant, and thus could not establish a relationship between levels of RISE and self-efficacy and outcomes; (b) a trend was evident wherein increased congruency between levels of self-efficacy and RISE was marginally associated with improved self-reported (p=.09). When there was a discrepancy, contrary to expectations, (c) it was found that outcomes were significantly better when self-efficacy levels surpassed those of RISE(p=.05). This research contributes to the wider literature on efficacy dynamics and congruence in eliefs. Further, it has the potential to inform clinical programs in the future and opens the door to a variety of avenues for further research in various clinical and sport contexts.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3238