Self-Efficacy, Surgical Fear and Psychological Well-Being in Abdominal Surgery

Abdominal surgery is associated with considerable psychological stress before the operation. Patients frequently experience fear related to anesthesia, postoperative pain, surgical complications, uncertainty regarding recovery, and changes in daily functioning. Elevated levels of surgical fear have been associated with poorer psychological outcomes and may negatively affect perioperative adaptation.

Psychological well-being reflects an individual's positive psychological functioning and ability to maintain emotional balance during stressful life events. However, not all patients experiencing surgical fear demonstrate the same level of psychological well-being, suggesting that personal characteristics may influence this relationship.

Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding these individual differences. According to the theory, self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their capability to successfully perform behaviors required to manage challenging situations. Patients with higher self-efficacy are expected to perceive surgical stress as more manageable, use more effective coping strategies, and maintain better psychological well-being despite experiencing surgical fear.

Although previous studies have separately investigated surgical fear, self-efficacy, and psychological well-being, evidence regarding the moderating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between surgical fear and psychological well-being among patients undergoing abdominal surgery is limited.

This single-center analytical cross-sectional study will be conducted in the General Surgery Clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Research and Application Hospital. Adult patients scheduled for abdominal surgery will be recruited consecutively before surgery. Data will be collected using a Patient Information Form, the Surgical Fear Questionnaire, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale.

The primary objective of the study is to determine whether self-efficacy moderates the relationship between surgical fear and psychological well-being. The results are expected to contribute to theory-based nursing care by improving the identification of patients at risk for poor psychological adaptation and supporting the development of individualized psychosocial interventions.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Scheduled to undergo elective abdominal surgery
• Able to read, speak, and understand Turkish
• Conscious and able to complete the questionnaires
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of dementia
• Visual or hearing impairment preventing questionnaire completion
• Undergoing abdominal surgery due to cancer
• Refusal or withdrawal of participation at any stage of the study