Validation of the Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSE) in a Colombian Population.

IntroductionSelf-efficacy is essential in heart failure (HF) management, influencing treatment adherence, symptom recognition, and self-care decisions. The Self-Care Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSE) is widely used to assess this competency. This study aimed to adapt and validate the SCSE in a Colombian population with HF.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 outpatients. Cultural adaptation of the SCSE was performed, and psychometric properties were evaluated, including feasibility, acceptability, structural validity, convergent validity, and validity based on external variables. Reliability was assessed using omega coefficients and test-retest analysis.ResultsThe theoretical structure was confirmed with adequate fit indices (CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.057; SRMR = 0.047). Reliability was high (ω = 0.81). Test-retest stability was low to moderate (ICC = 0.57; CCC = 0.39). Convergent validity showed weak negative correlations with quality of life (ρ = -0.07 to -0.14) and moderate positive correlations with self-care (ρ = 0.44-0.51), with no meaningful association with functional class. Known-groups analysis showed differences only by sex, with a small effect size.ConclusionThe SCSE showed adequate structural validity and internal consistency in patients with HF. Associations with self-care and quality of life were consistent with theoretical expectations, although temporal stability was low to fair when considering the individual ICC, and known-groups validity was limited.