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

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether aging expectations predict engagement in healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, it aimed to determine whether self-efficacy mediates the relationship between aging expectations and engagement in healthy lifestyles. This study enlisted 95 respondents who were 60 years old and older in a large metropolitan area in the Philippines. A four-part instrument package was utilized to measure the respondent’s (1) demographic profile, (2) aging expectations using the Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-12) Survey, (3) engagement in healthy lifestyles using Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), and (4) self-efficacy using the Self-efficacy for Self-direction in Health Scale. Data were analyzed using linear regression and mediation analysis. Results show that aging expectations and self-efficacy predicted engagement in healthy lifestyles. Moreover, self-efficacy was found to be a significant mediator between the variables. Programs that promote a positive aging expectation and high self-efficacy should be pursued by the government and non-government organizations.

Keywords

• aging expectations
• subjective aging
• healthy behaviors
• health promotion
• healthy aging
• self-efficacy