An observational study in Surgical Fear and Worrying, Well-Being, Psychological and Nursing Care, sponsored by Aydin Adnan Menderes University. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-12.
Sponsored by Aydin Adnan Menderes University · Observational
Surgical fear is a common psychological response among patients undergoing abdominal surgery and may adversely affect psychological well-being during the perioperative period. Individual psychosocial characteristics, particularly self-efficacy, may influence how patients perceive and cope with surgical fear. This cross-sectional observational study aims to determine the moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between surgical fear and psychological well-being in patients undergoing abdominal surgery within the framework of Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. Data will be collected preoperatively using validated questionnaires from 300 adult patients. The findings are expected to contribute to the identification of patients at risk for poor psychological outcomes and support the development of individualized nursing interventions.
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.
Adult patients scheduled to undergo elective abdominal surgery at the General Surgery Clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Research and Application Hospital who meet the eligibility criteria and provide informed consent will be consecutively enrolled in the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
Psychological Well-Being
The scale consists of a single sub-dimension and 8 items. The items are Likert-type, ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 7 (Strongly agree). The lowest possible score is 8 and the highest is 56. Higher scores on the scale are interpreted as an increase in psychological well-being.
Time frame: Preoperative assessment (within 24 hours before surgery)
Surgical Fear
The Surgical Fear Scale will be used for assessment. The scale consists of 8 items and is an 11-point Likert-type scale, scored from 0 to 10. Each item is scored from 0, meaning "not afraid at all," to 10, meaning "very afraid." The scale measures fear of the short-term and long-term outcomes of surgery. The minimum possible score is 0, and the maximum is 40. A higher score indicates a high level of surgical fear.
Time frame: Preoperative assessment (within 24 hours before surgery)
Self-Efficacy
The Self-Efficacy Scale consists of 23 items on a 5-point Likert scale. It is used to measure general self-efficacy perception, not specific to any particular area. It has four sub-dimensions: initiating behavior, maintaining behavior, completing behavior, and overcoming obstacles. The minimum possible score on the scale is 23, and the maximum is 115. A higher score indicates a higher perception of self-efficacy.
Time frame: Preoperative assessment (within 24 hours before surgery)
Plan to share: Yes — The data sets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Supporting information: Study protocol
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Aydin Adnan Menderes University