Abstract:
Cardiac rehabilitation is profoundly effective at improving physical activity and reducing morbidity and mortality of heart patients. Despite its effectiveness, it is highly underutilized. Research indicates proxy-efficacy and self efficacy positively correlate and predict exercise adherence after Phase II cardiac rehabilitation (Bray & Cowan, 2004; Bray, Brawley, & Millen, 2006). The purpose of the current study aims to investigate the relationship of Phase I patients' proxy-efficacy and self efficacy and their intention to enroll in Phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Thirty participants completed measurements of self-efficacy and proxy-efficacy, a demographic questionnaire, and asked to indicate intent to enroll. Results revealed proxy-efficacy does not predict intention to enroll into Phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Even though patients generally had high confidence in their cardiac rehabilitation specialists, proxy-efficacy was an insufficient predictor of intention to enroll in subsequent cardiac rehabilitation services. Moreover, results indicate proxy-efficacy and self efficacy for exercise are not related.