Perceived Self-Efficacy in Decision-Making: The Influence of Personality and Cognitive Variables.

OBJECTIVE

Decision self-efficacy reflects individuals' confidence in their ability to make effective health-related decisions. In oncology, it is essential to foster active engagement throughout the healthcare journey. Despite its relevance for quality of life, limited evidence exists on the factors influencing decision self-efficacy among cancer survivors. This exploratory study examined the role of personality traits, metacognition, coping strategies, and social support in predicting decision self-efficacy in breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

187 breast cancer survivors voluntarily completed online questionnaires assessing socio-demographic variables and standardized measures. Correlational analyses, multiple regressions, and mediation analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Findings evidenced that conscientiousness and cognitive self-consciousness positively predicted decision self-efficacy, whereas agreeableness showed a negative association. Problem-focused coping was positively related to decision self-efficacy; however, this effect was not significant when social support was included. Significant-other support and cognitive self-consciousness emerged as additional positive predictors. Mediation analysis indicated that agreeableness negatively influenced decision self-efficacy when mediated by problem-focused coping strategies.

DISCUSSION: Knowing individual and social characteristics that foster decision self-efficacy can be crucial to promote well-being in breast cancer survivors, decreasing anxiety and distress about their health.