Effect of demographic and clinical factors on depression self-efficacy

Abstract

Aim of the studyFor individuals with depression, depression self-efficacy is important. This study sought to understand the factors that are associated with depression self-efficacy.Subject or material and methodsParticipants (N = 275) in a trial of an internet-based depression intervention completed the Depression Self-Efficacy Questionnaire [1].ResultsA 3-way (gender * treatment experience * family history of depression) interaction predicted depression self-efficacy. Women with treatment experience reported significantly lower self-efficacy scores compared to those without treatment experience. For men, however, family history of depression moderated the relationship between past treatment experience and self-efficacy. Thus, among men with family history of depression, those without prior treatment experience had the highest depression self-efficacy scores and those with prior treatment experience – the lowest, but this pattern was not observed in men with unknown or no family history of depression.DiscussionSelf-efficacy of depression appears to vary based on gender, past treatment experience, and the individuals’ family history of depression, and for some individuals, past treatment experience may be associated with reduced self-efficacy.ConclusionsFindings suggest possible targets for intervention aiming at increasing depression self-efficacy.