BACKGROUND. Social adjustment is often a problem for patients with both bipolar disorder and major depression, particularly after hospital discharge, often contributing to relapse. Bandura (1982) described self-efficacy as addressing the interaction of cognitive, behavioral, and social characteristics that influence health behavior.OBJECTIVE. This study examined the relationship between self-efficacy and social adjustment after hospitalization for patients with a mood disorder.STUDY DESIGN. A descriptive, correlational study with predictive components was conducted.RESULTS. Self-efficacy explained 17% of the variance in social adjustment at the time of discharge and 49% of the variance 2 months posthospitalization in patients with mood disorder.CONCLUSIONS. Self-efficacy influenced social adjustment, particularly after hospital discharge, in this sample of 45 patients treated for mood disorder. Self-efficacy is important for individual’s integration in social networks and role functioning and contributes to community adjustment for those with mood disorder.
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