SELF-EFFICACY IN CAREGIVERS OF COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED ELDERLY PEOPLE - A CONCEPT ANALYSIS

Research with caregivers of cognitively impaired individuals has provi ded evidence which suggests that most caregivers experience at least s ome degree of burden. However, it has been postulated that it is the c aregiver's subjective interpretation of the situation that is the prim ary factor responsible for mediating the degree of burden experienced. Caregivers who cope well with this type of stress may possess a high level of self-efficacy. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the co ncept of self-efficacy and its relationship to health care using Walke r & Avant's concept analysis methodology. Uses of the concept of self- efficacy, as well as its defining attributes, antecedents, consequence s and empirical referents, are discussed. Also, model, borderline, rel ated, contrary and invented cases are constructed to illustrate the co ncept further. The relevance of the concept to nursing practice and ar eas requiring future investigation are noted.