It’s a Matter of Perspective: The Role of Aging Expectations and Self-Efficacy Towards Engagement in Healthy Lifestyles Among Older Adults

Abstract Adherence to health behaviors is often poor, including adherence to at-home technology-based interventions. This study (N=120) explored adherence to a cognitive training intervention delivered via computer tablet, assessed adherence over a 4.5 month period, explored how individual difference factors shaped adherence, and tested the efficacy of message framing manipulations (positive vs. negative framing) in boosting adherence. Individual difference factors predicted adherence, including variations in self-efficacy and belief in the efficacy of cognitive training. Overall message framing had little impact. However, during the final portion of the study in which participants were asked to play as much or as little as they wanted instead of following a schedule, participants who received positively framed messages engaged with the intervention more. Implications for predicting and boosting adherence to home delivered technology-based interventions will be discussed.

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Childhood abuse and current health problems among older adults: The mediating role of self-efficacy.

Psychology of Violence ◽

10.1037/a0023139 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 106-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Natalie Sachs-Ericsson ◽

Amanda N. Medley ◽

Kathleen Kendall-Tackett ◽

John Taylor

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Childhood Abuse ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Current Health

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Death Anxiety and Loneliness among Older Adults: Role of Parental Self-Efficacy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189857 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9857

Author(s):

Lee Greenblatt-Kimron ◽

Miri Kestler-Peleg ◽

Ahuva Even-Zohar ◽

Osnat Lavenda

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Old Age ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Death Anxiety ◽

Intergenerational Relationships ◽

Background Characteristics ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Daily Lives

Death anxiety and loneliness are major issues for older people. The present study aimed to broaden the understanding of factors that are linked with increased loneliness in old age by examining the association between death anxiety and loneliness, and the role of an unexplored variable among older adults, namely, parental self-efficacy. A convenience sample of 362 Israeli parents over the age of 65 was recruited through means of social media. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires, which included background characteristics, death anxiety, parental self-efficacy, and loneliness measures. The findings showed that death anxiety was positively associated with loneliness among older adults. The findings also confirmed that parental self-efficacy moderated this association in this population. We concluded that the combination of death anxiety and low parental self-efficacy identified a group of older adults that are at higher risk of developing increased loneliness levels. Mental health professionals should consider intergenerational relationships as a fundamental component of older adults’ daily lives, focusing on parental self-efficacy in old age, as this appears to be a resilience resource.

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Self-Efficacy, Action Control, and Social Support Explain Physical Activity Changes Among Costa Rican Older Adults

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2013-0175 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1573-1578 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Benjamin Reyes Fernández ◽

Esteban Montenegro Montenegro ◽

Nina Knoll ◽

Ralf Schwarzer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Action Control ◽

Costa Rican ◽

Activity Levels ◽

High Social Support ◽

Moderator Role

Background:Self-efficacy, action control, and social support are considered to influence changes in physical activity levels in older adults. This study examines the relationship among these variables and explores the putative mediating and moderating mechanisms that might account for activity changes.Methods:A longitudinal study with 54 older adults (≥ 50 years of age) was carried out in Costa Rica. In a moderated mediation analysis, action control was specified as a mediator between self-efficacy and physical activity, whereas social support was specified as a moderator between self-efficacy and action control. Baseline physical activity, age, and sex were specified as covariates.Results:Action control mediated between self-efficacy and physical activity. An interaction between social support and self-efficacy on action control pointed to a synergistic effect at the first stage of the mediating process.Conclusions:The effect of self-efficacy on physical activity was partly explained by action control, providing evidence of action control as a proximal mediator of physical activity. Moreover, the moderator role of social support was confirmed: high social support appeared to compensate for low levels of self-efficacy.

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The Role of Symptoms and Self-Efficacy in Predicting Physical Activity Change Among Older Adults With Arthritis

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2012-0030 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 528-535 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Nina Sperber ◽

Katherine S. Hall ◽

Kelli Allen ◽

Brenda M. DeVellis ◽

Megan Lewis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Frequency Change ◽

Physical Activity Change ◽

Panel Model ◽

Support Strategies

Background:Physical and psychological symptoms limit physical activity for people with arthritis. This study examined if self-efficacy mediated a relationship between symptom and physical activity (PA) frequency change.Methods:This was a secondary analysis of older adults with arthritis and joint pain in a trial of a lifestyle PA program (n = 339). Measures were depressive symptoms, pain, fatigue, arthritis self-efficacy, PA self-efficacy, and PA frequency. A panel model was used to analyze relationships at baseline and changes at 20 weeks.Results:The mean age was 68.8 years. At baseline, depression and fatigue were associated with arthritis self-efficacy (β = –.34 and –.24) and, in turn, PA self-efficacy (β = .63); PA self-efficacy was associated with PA (β = .15). Pain and depression changes were associated with arthritis self-efficacy change (β = –.20 and –.21) and, in turn, PA self-efficacy (β = .32) change; PA self-efficacy change was associated with PA change (β = .36).Conclusion:Change in symptom severity affected change in PA frequency. These relationships appeared to operate through self-efficacy. Over time, pain appeared to have a stronger relationship than fatigue with self-efficacy and PA. These findings support strategies to help people with arthritis strengthen their confidence for symptom coping and PA participation.

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Malnutrition–Sarcopenia Syndrome and Self-Management Behaviors in Continuing-Care Retirement Community Residents

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics7010009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 9

Author(s):

Murad H. Taani ◽

Immaculate Apchemengich ◽

Christina Diane Sima

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Caloric Intake ◽

The Self ◽

Self Management ◽

Continuing Care ◽

Management Process ◽

Process Factors ◽

Aging Expectations

Malnutrition–sarcopenia syndrome (MSS) might put older adults at higher risk for disability, frailty, and mortality. This study examined the prevalence and association of the self-management-process factors (i.e., self-efficacy and aging expectations) and behaviors (protein and caloric intake and sedentary and physical-activity behaviors) to MSS among older adults living in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Using a cross-sectional correlational design, data of 96 CCRC residents (82.4 ± 7.4 years) were analyzed. Muscle mass, strength, function, nutritional status, sedentary time, physical activity levels, protein and caloric intake, self-efficacy for physical activity, aging expectations, and physical and mental health-related quality of life were measured. Results show that 36 (37.5%) had sarcopenia, 21 (21.9%) had malnutrition risk, 13 (13.4%) had malnutrition, and 12 (12.5%) had MSS. We also found that high time spent in sedentary behaviors (OR = 1.041; 95% CI: 1.011–1.071) was associated with higher odds of having MSS and high expectations regarding aging (OR = 0.896; 95% CI: 0.806–0.997) was associated with less likelihood of having MSS. Findings suggest that CCRC residents should be screened for MSS. Self-management interventions that consider the self-management-process factors are needed to prevent MSS and mitigate its negative outcomes among CRCC residents.

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Predictors of Anxiety, Stress, and Concern of COVID-19 Infection in Older Adults During the First and the Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Slovakia

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/23337214211047642 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 233372142110476

Author(s):

Miroslava Köverová ◽

Beáta Ráczová ◽

Bibiána Kováčová Holevová

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Psychological Characteristics ◽

Predictor Variables ◽

Psychological Predictors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Online Study ◽

Perceived Danger ◽

And Coping

Objectives: This cross-sectional online study examined the role of socio-demographic and psychological characteristics in predicting anxiety, stress, and concern of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in older adults during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia. Methods: Six hundred and seven older adults (Sample 1) and 156 older adults (Sample 2) participated in the study during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The older adults completed a battery of validated instruments for anxiety, stress, concern of COVID-19 infection (outcome variables), satisfaction with health, perceived danger of COVID-19, loneliness, intolerance of uncertainty (IU), optimism, powerlessness, and coping self-efficacy (predictor variables). The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: The older adults in both samples experienced moderate levels of anxiety, stress, and concern of COVID-19 infection. The greatest amount of variability in anxiety and stress was explained by powerlessness, IU, optimism, and coping self-efficacy. Concern of COVID-19 infection was best predicted by the perceived danger of COVID-19. Conclusion: The findings contribute to the existing knowledge about the mental health of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the role of the psychological predictors of anxiety, stress, and concern of COVID-19 infection during both waves.

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