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Dehghan H, Abdi B, Akhoundzadeh K. Self-efficacy Level and Its Relationship With Coping Strategies and Locus of Control in Older Adults in Qom, Iran. Qom Univ Med Sci J 2024; 18 : 1211.1
URL: http://journal.muq.ac.ir/article-1-3802-en.html
URL: http://journal.muq.ac.ir/article-1-3802-en.html
1- Department of Community Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
2- Department of Nursing, Langeroud School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
3- Qom University of Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran ,mehr2257@gmail.com
2- Department of Nursing, Langeroud School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
3- Qom University of Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran ,
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Introduction
Advances in biomedical sciences and health care have led to a decrease in mortality rate and increased aged population worldwide. Therefore, considering the problems in the old age, the health-related behaviors and quality of life of older people should be addressed. In addition to physical changes such as physical disabilities and chronic disease, aging can lead to age-related psychological, mental and cognitive changes. One of the predictors of behavior change is self-efficacy which is defined as the person’s belief in the ability to perform a specified task successfully. A person with high self-efficacy sets more ambitious goals, exerts more effort for a longer time, and tends to be more persistent in pursuing the goals.
Determining the factors that affect self-efficacy can help plan proper interventions. Studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral factors such as coping strategies and locus of control can affect the elderly health. Studies in the non-elderly population have revealed that coping strategies and locus of control are associated with self-efficacy. Concerning the increase in the elderly population in Iran and subsequently the increase in related challenges, this study aimed to assess the self-efficacy level and its relationship with coping strategies and locus of control in older adults in Qom, Iran.
Methods
This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design. Using a census method, 100 older adults over 60 years old referring to the retirement center in Qom City were included in the study. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire including (a) demographic form (surveying age, sex, marital status, educational level, occupation, and income level), (b) generalized self-efficacy scale with 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 (not at all true) to 4 (exactly true) with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy, (c) Calsbeek’s coping inventory for stressful situations with 21 items rated a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much) that independently assesses three basic dimensions: task-oriented coping, emotion- oriented coping, and avoidant, and (d) multidimensional locus of control IPC scale (24 items). The validity and reliability of the scales have been confirmed in Iranian studies. SPSS software, version 20 was used for data analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
The majority of participants were male (68%) with a mean age of 63.9±3.5 years. Most of them were married (n=73, 73%) and retired (n=49, 49%), with a diploma (n=44, 44%). The majority of them had a moderate economic status (n=60, 60%). The mean total score of self-efficacy was 30.4±4.2. Among demographic variables, the self-efficacy score was significantly different based on occupation. The unemployed people had the lowest self-efficacy score. The mean scores of task-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidant coping strategies were 22.3±5.7, 22.3±5.6, and 22.6±5.7, respectively. The mean scores for the locus of control domains of internality, chance, and powerful others were reported as 35.3±4.7, 35.3±5.3, and 35.1±5.2 respectively. Regression analysis showed that avoidant coping strategy significantly predicted self-efficacy (P=0.04). There was no significant association between locus of control and self-efficacy.
Conclusion
Our study showed that self-efficacy, as an important component of social cognitive theory, can be influenced by aging. Unemployed older people reported lower self-efficacy. The use of avoidant coping strategy is related to self-efficacy in older adults. Findings regarding the relationship between coping strategies and self-efficacy are different and many variables seem to affect this relationship,; therefore, further studies for controlling the confounding factors are needed. Accurate understanding and effective management of the impact of these confounding factors on aging-related issues and challenges can help to improve the physical, mental, and psychological health of the elderly. Further studies with larger sample sizes in other cities are recommended to identify various factors that affect the self-efficacy of older people.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qom University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUQ.REC.1399.144) and was carried out in accordance with the ethical principles.
Funding
This study was funded by Qom University of Medical Sciences.
Authors contributions
Conceptualization, study design, methodology, validation and writing the original draft: Bahareh Abdi; Analysis, investigation and research: Hakimeh Dehghani; Review, editing and resources: Kobra Akhoundzadeh; Visualization, supervision, project administration and financing: Bahareh Abdi and Kobra Akhoundzadeh.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Deputy for Research of Qom University of Medical Sciences for financial support and all seniors participated in this research for their cooperation.
Advances in biomedical sciences and health care have led to a decrease in mortality rate and increased aged population worldwide. Therefore, considering the problems in the old age, the health-related behaviors and quality of life of older people should be addressed. In addition to physical changes such as physical disabilities and chronic disease, aging can lead to age-related psychological, mental and cognitive changes. One of the predictors of behavior change is self-efficacy which is defined as the person’s belief in the ability to perform a specified task successfully. A person with high self-efficacy sets more ambitious goals, exerts more effort for a longer time, and tends to be more persistent in pursuing the goals.
Determining the factors that affect self-efficacy can help plan proper interventions. Studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral factors such as coping strategies and locus of control can affect the elderly health. Studies in the non-elderly population have revealed that coping strategies and locus of control are associated with self-efficacy. Concerning the increase in the elderly population in Iran and subsequently the increase in related challenges, this study aimed to assess the self-efficacy level and its relationship with coping strategies and locus of control in older adults in Qom, Iran.
Methods
This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design. Using a census method, 100 older adults over 60 years old referring to the retirement center in Qom City were included in the study. Data were collected using a four-part questionnaire including (a) demographic form (surveying age, sex, marital status, educational level, occupation, and income level), (b) generalized self-efficacy scale with 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 (not at all true) to 4 (exactly true) with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy, (c) Calsbeek’s coping inventory for stressful situations with 21 items rated a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much) that independently assesses three basic dimensions: task-oriented coping, emotion- oriented coping, and avoidant, and (d) multidimensional locus of control IPC scale (24 items). The validity and reliability of the scales have been confirmed in Iranian studies. SPSS software, version 20 was used for data analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
The majority of participants were male (68%) with a mean age of 63.9±3.5 years. Most of them were married (n=73, 73%) and retired (n=49, 49%), with a diploma (n=44, 44%). The majority of them had a moderate economic status (n=60, 60%). The mean total score of self-efficacy was 30.4±4.2. Among demographic variables, the self-efficacy score was significantly different based on occupation. The unemployed people had the lowest self-efficacy score. The mean scores of task-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidant coping strategies were 22.3±5.7, 22.3±5.6, and 22.6±5.7, respectively. The mean scores for the locus of control domains of internality, chance, and powerful others were reported as 35.3±4.7, 35.3±5.3, and 35.1±5.2 respectively. Regression analysis showed that avoidant coping strategy significantly predicted self-efficacy (P=0.04). There was no significant association between locus of control and self-efficacy.
Conclusion
Our study showed that self-efficacy, as an important component of social cognitive theory, can be influenced by aging. Unemployed older people reported lower self-efficacy. The use of avoidant coping strategy is related to self-efficacy in older adults. Findings regarding the relationship between coping strategies and self-efficacy are different and many variables seem to affect this relationship,; therefore, further studies for controlling the confounding factors are needed. Accurate understanding and effective management of the impact of these confounding factors on aging-related issues and challenges can help to improve the physical, mental, and psychological health of the elderly. Further studies with larger sample sizes in other cities are recommended to identify various factors that affect the self-efficacy of older people.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qom University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUQ.REC.1399.144) and was carried out in accordance with the ethical principles.
Funding
This study was funded by Qom University of Medical Sciences.
Authors contributions
Conceptualization, study design, methodology, validation and writing the original draft: Bahareh Abdi; Analysis, investigation and research: Hakimeh Dehghani; Review, editing and resources: Kobra Akhoundzadeh; Visualization, supervision, project administration and financing: Bahareh Abdi and Kobra Akhoundzadeh.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Deputy for Research of Qom University of Medical Sciences for financial support and all seniors participated in this research for their cooperation.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
روانشناسی
Received: 2023/08/31 | Accepted: 2024/01/15 | Published: 2024/04/29
Received: 2023/08/31 | Accepted: 2024/01/15 | Published: 2024/04/29
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