The relationship between self-efficacy and self-management: a moderated mediation model of self-control and emotion regulation among stroke survivors

To explore the impact of self-efficacy on self-management with the parallel mediating effects of impulsivity and good control, as well as the moderating effect of emotion regulation. Convenience sampling method was used in this study. From March to July 2024, stroke patients were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Henan Province, China. Questionnaires were administered to collect sociodemographic data, self-control, self-efficacy, emotion regulation, and self-management. Descriptive statistics and Process Macro Models 4 and 14 in the SPSS program (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) were used for data analysis. A total of 519 stroke survivors reported self-management with a moderate standardization score. Impulsivity and good control co-mediating the association of self-efficacy and self-management. After adding the cognitive reappraisal as the moderator, the moderated mediation model of impulsivity was confirmed with adequate fit indices. However, cognitive reappraisal did not play a moderating role in good control and self-management. Self-efficacy can promote self-management in stroke survivors by reducing impulsivity and enhancing self-control. Notably, cognitive reappraisal may suppress impulsive thoughts in stroke survivors and promote self-management. Self-management among stroke survivors remains at a moderate level, with significant room for improvement.Self-efficacy is crucial for stroke self-management, and healthcare professionals should focus on assessing patients’ self-efficacy.Healthcare professionals can teach stroke survivors to use self-control and cognitive reappraisal to enhance their self-management. Self-management among stroke survivors remains at a moderate level, with significant room for improvement. Self-efficacy is crucial for stroke self-management, and healthcare professionals should focus on assessing patients’ self-efficacy. Healthcare professionals can teach stroke survivors to use self-control and cognitive reappraisal to enhance their self-management.