Testing the theory of self-care management for sickle cell disease

Factors predicting health outcomes in persons with sickle cell disease (SCD) were investigated within the framework of the theory of selfcare management for SCD, which proposes that vulnerability factors negatively affect health care outcomes and self-care management resources and positively mediate the relationship between vulnerability factors and health care outcomes. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to test the model with a sample of 232 African American adults with SCD. Results supported the negative effect of vulnerability factors on health outcomes. The overall model was supported, however, self-care management resources did not mediate the relationship between vulnerability and health care outcomes. The findings provide support for interventions to increase self-care management resources to improve health care outcomes.