Objective

To determine the relationship of self-care self-efficacy to functional independence, quality of life, and depression after stroke.

Methods

Longitudinal, descriptive correlational design.

Setting

Inpatient rehabilitation facility at 1 month after stroke and home at 6 months after stroke.

Participants

Sixty-three stroke survivors.

Main outcome measures

Four instruments: Strategies Used by People to Promote Health, Quality of Life Index--Stroke Version, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Functional Independence Measure.

Results

Self-care self-efficacy increased after stroke and was strongly correlated with quality of life measures and depression at both 1 and 6 months after stroke. Functional independence and quality of life increased over time, while depression decreased. Functional independence was modestly correlated with quality of life at 6 months after stroke, but not at 1 month after stroke.

Conclusions

Self-care self-efficacy is strongly related to quality of life and to depression. Clinicians and family may encourage stroke patients' self-confidence, expectations for self-care, and self-efficacy behaviors, thereby improving patients' quality of life.