[General self efficacy in elderly living in rest-homes]

ABSTRACT

Self- efficacy is closely related with different dimensions of the elderly life such as their health and quality of life. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the self- efficacy of the elderly living in rest homes and its relationship with their personal characteristic in west Tehran. It was a descriptive, cross- sectional study. The sample consisted of 100 above 60 years old males and females elderly who were living in rest- homes of west Tehran for six consecutive months at least. Sample selection was done using stratified sampling with proportionate allocation during 2010. Data collected with GSE-10 and analyzed using T-test, ANOVA, Shefe exact test, and Regression analysis with SPSS [v.16]. The mean score for general self- efficacy was 21.44 +/- 3.83 [of maximum of 40 according to GSE-10]. ANOVA showed that the difference between the three age groups of 60-70, 71-80, and about 81was significant [p=0.001]. Self- efficacy of men was more the women [p=0.003]. There was a significant relationship between the elderly self- efficacy and their education [p=0.05], and duration of living in rest- homes [p=0.011]. Linear regressions showed that the general self- efficacy was mostly related with sex [beta 1.54, p=0.004]. Regarding the low level of self- efficacy of the elderly living in the rest- homes, especially the women, more attention should be paid to promotion of their self- efficacy, by heath care professionals. Interventional studies is recommended to assess the effect of appropriate programs on the elderly self- efficacy