Impact Of Nurse-Directed Interventions On Self-Efficacy And Social Support Among Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder marked by ongoing joint inflammation, pain, and functional impairments, along with considerable psychological challenges including despair, anxiety, and social isolation. This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led intervention on self-efficacy and perceived social support in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Sixty patients from the Rheumatology Department at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai were recruited and allocated into experimental and control groups. The intervention group underwent organised educational sessions focused on symptom management, medication compliance, physical activity, and family involvement, whereas the control group received conventional care. Data was collected via the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) and the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS) prior to and subsequent to the 21-day intervention. Baseline characteristics were comparable across groups. Post-intervention analysis revealed a significant improvement in the experimental group's self-efficacy (mean score increased from 64.67 to 88.80; p = 0.001) and perceived social support (from 37.93 to 64.13; p = 0.001), whereas changes in the control group were minimal and statistically non-significant. Additionally, post-test scores showed significant associations with age, residence, and illness duration. These findings confirm that nurse-led educational interventions can substantially enhance self-efficacy and perceived social support in RA patients, especially those with shorter disease duration and urban residency. This approach emphasizes the role of nurses in chronic illness management and advocates for integrating such interventions into routine care to promote psychological resilience, treatment adherence, and quality of life.