Exercise self-efficacy plays a mediating role between social support and physical function among patients transferred from the intensive care unit

Abstract

Physical impairment is common after critical illness and may hinder recovery and quality of life. Social support has been associated with physical function among intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Exercise self-efficacy may help explain this relationship. This study examined the association between social support and physical function among patients transferred from the ICU and investigated the potential mediating role of exercise self-efficacy. This cross-sectional study included 300 patients transferred from the ICU between July 2025 and March 2026. Social support, exercise self-efficacy, and physical function were assessed using the Social Support Rating Scale, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, and Short Physical Performance Battery, respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation, multiple linear regression, and mediation analyses using PROCESS Model 4 were performed. Indirect effects were estimated using 5,000 bootstrap samples with 95% confidence intervals. The median SPPB score was 2 (2, 4). Correlation analysis showed that physical function was positively correlated with exercise self-efficacy ( r = 0.319, P < 0.001) and social support ( r = 0.183, P = 0.005). Regression analysis identified exercise self-efficacy as a factor significantly associated with better physical function. Mediation analysis showed that the total effect of social support on physical function was 0.190 (95% CI: 0.078–0.302). The indirect effect of exercise self-efficacy was 0.051 (95% CI: 0.020–0.092). Social support was positively associated with physical function among patients transferred from the ICU, with exercise self-efficacy accounting for part of this association. Interventions targeting social support and exercise self-efficacy may be worth exploring as potential strategies to support physical recovery after critical illness.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Scientific Reports, 2026 · DOI ↗