Correlations between self-efficacy and self-care agency of the empty nest elderly with chronic ;disease in the community / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To determine the status of self-efficacy and self-care agency of the empty nest elderly patients in the community,and analyze their correlation. Methods A total of 320 empty nest elderly with chronic disease in Fushun, Liaoning Province. The General Information Questionnaire, Exercise of Self-Care Agency scale (ESCA) and the Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale were used to investigate the empty nest elderly with chronic disease in the community and analyze the present situation level of the self-care agency and the self-efficacy and the correlation between them. Results General data showed no significant difference between solitary empty-nest elderly and connubial empty-nest elderly (P>0.05). Solitary empty-nest elderly got (93.36 ± 13.49) points and (5.22 ± 0.62) points in ESCA and the Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale,which were lower than (98.10±11.34) points and (5.32±0.30) points of connubial empty-nest elderly, the difference was statistically significant (t=-0.866,-0.467, P<0.05). There was significantly positive correlation between self-efficacy and self-care agency (r=0.318, P<0.01). Conclusions There is positive correlation between self-efficacy and self-care agency. It is suggested to implement community-based nursing interventions to enhance their self-efficacy and to promote their self-care agency,there by to improve their quality of life .