Modelling of self‐management in schizophrenia: The role of neurocognition, self‐efficacy and motivation

Aims and objectives This study aimed to address the interrelationships among neurocognition, self‐efficacy, motivation and self‐management in individuals with schizophrenia. Background Self‐management performance of individuals with schizophrenia is relatively poor. The effect of neurocognitive impairment on self‐management in schizophrenia remains inconsistent, which may be attributed to the neglect of possible mediating factors. Little attention has been given to the role of motivation and self‐efficacy for linking neurocognition to self‐management. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods Three hundred and twenty patients were recruited with convenience sampling in this study. Patients’ neurocognitive function, self‐efficacy, motivation and self‐management behaviours were measured. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis and path analysis were performed to examine the interrelationships. This study followed STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies (see Appendix S1). Results The final model, with good fit indices, revealed that (1) neurocognition, self‐efficacy and motivation were directly associated with self‐management, (2) self‐efficacy and motivation partly mediated the impact of neurocognition on self‐management and (3) motivation additionally mediated the association of self‐efficacy and self‐management. Conclusions Our study extends the current findings, indicating that self‐efficacy and motivation may act as mediators in the relationship between neurocognition and self‐management in schizophrenia. Relevance to clinical practice Mental health professionals should pay attention to interventions targeting both cognitive and psychosocial components to enhance self‐management in individuals with schizophrenia.