Self-Efficacy: What is it Really?

What would happen if we had a new medication that improved health status, improved quality of life, lowered healthcare utilization, had virtually no negative side effects, and was low cost? The answer is abundantly clear; this medication would fly off the shelves to anyone that could get it. We’d see it widely accepted and used within the medical model of our current healthcare system. 

While I wish I could say it was as simple as a pill, for now we are limited to our sheer ability to hack the human brain, and maximize our potential. Whether you have experienced a life changing medical event or chronic illness, or are simply looking for ways to improve your quality of life, self-efficacy will serve as the foundation of meeting your goals. It is the basis of change within a person, and the most important part of becoming the best, most ideal version of yourself. 

In 1977, Albert Bandura, a professor of psychology at Stanford, published his theory of self-efficacy. In the simplest of terms, this theory states that when someone truly believes they can do something, they most likely can. It evaluates one’s perception of positive and negative consequences of performing a behavior. I would be lying if I said my cynicism did not get the best of me when I first read about this theory. The simple notion of “believe in yourself and it will happen” seemed naive. It seemed to negate the reality that getting what you want is multifaceted and sometimes out of your control. So before exploring what it means to build self-efficacy, I want to bring attention to what I feel is the most important component of self-efficacy theory. 

A key emphasis of the theory is that individuals are provided the opportunities to build necessary skills. More specifically, the government and society need to be held responsible for providing sufficient opportunities to individuals in need. There are unique barriers present outside of a single individual's control, such as location and housing, socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic/sexual discrimination, family and community influence, access to resources, and more. Many of these barriers are subject to intervention from the government and influenced by societal standards, which  is important to acknowledge when promoting self-efficacy theory. I urge you to reflect on what that may mean for you, and to speak openly about it with friends, family, colleagues, and health professionals. While these barriers are crucial to understanding a person holistically, self-efficacy theory focuses on what you can do with consideration of the circumstances you currently live within. I want to emphasize and validate that external barriers can impact a person's self-efficacy, however, I also want to offer solace that no matter who you are, there are always steps you can take towards building the life you desire. 

There are four key components that contribute to one’s ability to be a self-effective person. 

1. Skills Mastery: One gains confidence by doing things. It is for this reason, one must prioritize setting goals and completing actions to meet them. The more opportunity for practice, the more permanent the skill becomes. 
2. Modeling: Experiencing or witnessing success promotes positive evaluations of one’s capacity to succeed in the future, in turn increasing the likelihood of subsequent positive outcomes. You have to see it to believe it! This is why representation is so important, and why speaking with someone who truly relates to you can be so impactful. 
3. Reframing thoughts and symptoms: Individuals base their behaviors on their beliefs about their disease. Sometimes, when these preconceived thoughts are more positively reframed or reinterpreted, new doors can open that never seemed possible. 
4. Social persuasion: The communities we find ourselves in can greatly enhance our confidence. If those around you are or are not participating in a behavior, you are more likely to follow. Ongoing support from one’s friends, family, health professionals, and community improves our self-efficacy everyday. However, it can also inhibit us if social pressures do not support our desired outcome. 

By reflecting on what these components look like in your life, you are taking steps to becoming a more successful and confident person.  

All individuals are capable and deserving of an active, meaningful life. Being successful does not mean you are better than those who are not. It does not imply that any competition or comparison with others is involved at all. Rather, the theory implies that those deemed unsuccessful simply haven’t been given the opportunity to prove otherwise. Until they are given this opportunity, success is far from unachievable, but rather a budding flower, waiting for the right time to bloom. 

At Moxie OT we use self-efficacy theory to help you build the confidence you need to meet your goals. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, contact us today! 

Guest Blogger: Lindsay Friker, OTDS