ROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY IN REHABILITATION OUTCOME AMONG CHRONIC LOW-BACK-PAIN PATIENTS

The role of self-efficacy beliefs in the rehabilitation of 45 low back pain patients participating in a 3-week rehabilitation program was ex amined. Increments in self-efficacy beliefs during the rehabilitation program were not associated with improved patient functioning at disch arge from the program. However, in support of the theorized role of se lf-efficacy in behavior change, these increments in self-efficacy sign ificantly predicted better patient functioning and less reported pain at the 6-month follow-up assessment. Implications of these findings fo r the rehabilitation of low back pain patients are discussed.