Effects of illness perception and social support on self-management among patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: The mediating role of self-regulation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the relationships among illness perception, social support, self-regulation, and self-management in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), based on the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 231 participants with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in Wuxi, China. Validated questionnaires were employed to measure self-management, illness perception, social support, and self-regulation. Path analysis was conducted to examine the direct and indirect relationships among these variables, with bootstrapped confidence intervals used to assess mediation effects.

RESULTS

Path analysis indicated that illness perception was negatively related to self-management (β=-0.117, p=0.029), while social support showed a positive relationship with self-management (β=0.294, p<0.001). Higher levels of self-regulation were associated with better self-management (β=0.422, p<0.001). Significant indirect effects were observed for both illness perception (β=-0.183, 95% CI [-0.249, -0.123]) and social support (β=0.073, 95% CI [0.026, 0.134]) through self-regulation.

CONCLUSION

Illness perception and social support are associated with self-management both directly and indirectly through self-regulation, suggesting a potential mediating role of self-regulation.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that pediatric nurses may consider illness perception, self-regulatory abilities, and available social support when assessing and supporting self-management among patients with AIS.