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Religious faith and self-efficacy among stroke patients in Kuwait: health professionals’ views

Abstract Purpose: This study explored health professionals’ views about the influence of Muslim religious beliefs on Kuwaiti patients’ self-efficacy within stroke rehabilitation. It also explored their confidence in discussing religious issues with patients during rehabilitation. Method: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 expatriate health professionals of various religious faiths working in stroke rehabilitation (five nurses, four physiotherapists and one physician). Data were analysed thematically. Findings: Health professionals considered that self-efficacy in stroke rehabilitation was strengthened by patients’ feelings of partnership with God, which evoked hope and strength by retaining continuity of the moral self, and by viewing disability as a test of resilience. Fatalistic beliefs and the belief that stroke is a punishment from God were thought to undermine self-efficacy. Health professionals sought to foster patients’ experience of religious empowerment by using religious phrases during rehabilitation, and encouraging religious observance. Nurse participants considered that discussing religious issues with their patients was intrinsic to culturally competent care. Conclusions: It is known that patients’ self-efficacy in rehabilitation can be strengthened through a number of strategies such as goal-setting and feedback. This study suggests that for Muslim patients in Kuwait, health professionals also need to be mindful of their need for religious empowerment. Implications for Rehabilitation Muslim religious beliefs may influence self-efficacy in stroke patients in the Kuwaiti context. Patients who regard themselves as working in partnership with their God may feel empowered and more confident to achieve goals in rehabilitation. Patients who regard their stroke as a divine punishment may have lower self-efficacy. Health professionals might support religious patients to retain a sense of their unimpaired moral selves (e.g. by enabling religious observance) as a means of enhancing self-efficacy in rehabilitation.