Self-Efficacy and Readiness for Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care in Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Theories of self-care management, particularly the development of self-efficacy or confidence in one’s ability to manage health-related goals, tasks, and challenges may provide a useful framework for developing programs to improve transition from pediatric to adult care for youth and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis stating that ratings of self-efficacy is positively associated with self-ratings of transition readiness.

Subjects: A total of 113 individuals with SCD aged 14–26 years at two distinct sites of care were recruited for the study.

Materials and methods: Participants completed the Transition Intervention Program Readiness for Transition ( TIP-RFT ) assessment, the Sickle Cell Self-Efficacy Scale and the Sickle Cell Stress –Adolescent scale.

Results: In multivariate regression models, self-efficacy was positively associated with scores on the total TIP-RFT and on the Education/Vocation Planning and Independent Living Skills scales. Older age was independently associated with higher scores on the Independent Living Skills scale and higher stress levels were independently associated with lower scores on Education/Vocation Planning scale.

Conclusions: The TIP-RFT assessment, along with measures of self-efficacy and stress, appear to be useful measures of overall transition readiness for youth and young adults with SCD. Future studies should evaluate whether self-management skill development and health outcomes are indeed affected by programs to improve readiness for transition from pediatric to adult care.