Prospective validation of the Chinese version of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale among middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to further evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale (SEE-C) among middle-aged outpatients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Design: Psychometric evaluation design. Methods: A convenience sample of 355 CHD patients was recruited and followed up at 3 and 6 months. Cronbach's alpha, construct validity (exploratory factor analysis), and concurrent and predictive validity were examined. Findings: The SEE-C had a single-factor structure that was stable over time and had high internal consistency. Baseline SEE-C scores were significantly and positively associated with quality of life and total exercise time per week and significantly and negatively associated with anxiety and depression. They also significantly predicted total exercise per week at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Conclusions: The SEE-C is a robust, reliable, and valid measure of exercise self-efficacy for middle-aged Chinese CHD outpatients. Clinical Relevance: The SEE-C can assess patients' exercise self-efficacy, so that appropriate interventions to improve exercise self-efficacy can be provided.