The role of mindsets towards participation in activities of daily living on the engagement of patients enrolled in an occupational therapy rehabilitation program: an exploratory study
Context. This exploratory study was conducted in a functional rehabilitation center to examine the impact of patients’ beliefs on their participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) and their involvement in managing their health.
Objective. The main objective was to investigate the links between patients’ beliefs (fixative or ameliorative mindsets) and their sense of self-efficacy, as well as their impact on engagement in ADLs and health behaviour change intentions.
Material and Method. A sample of 29 patients (mean age = 55 years, 14 males, 15 females) suffering from various pathologies and participating in a rehabilitation program was recruited. Participants completed questionnaires adapted to ADLs, measuring their beliefs, sense of self-efficacy, and commitment to health.
Results. The results show a positive correlation between a growth mindset, feelings of self-efficacy, frequency of past changes, intentions to change in the future, and commitment to health management. The analysis also reveals that the feeling of self-efficacy plays a mediating role between patients’ beliefs and their commitment to managing their health. In addition, women and patients with musculoskeletal diseases had a more improvable mindset.
Conclusion. This study suggests that patients’ beliefs about their participation in ADLs influence their health engagement. These results open up prospects for improving rehabilitation management, based on adapting beliefs and strengthening patients’ sense of self-efficacy.
