Sālmand (Apr 2015)
Relationship Between General Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life Among Elderly Living in Chaharmahal Bakhtiari Nursing Homes
Abstract
Objectives Reduction of physical and mental strength along with several diseases in aging severely diminishes elder people's quality of life. Meanwhile, self-efficacy can improve quality of life. We aimed to assess the relationship between self-efficacy and quality of life in elderly living in nursing homes. Methods & Materials In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 87 elder people living in Charmahal Bakhtiari nursing homes were recruited by census. Data were collected by General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10) and Short Form Quality of Life (SF-36) and then analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and regression analysis. Results 69% of the participants had low level of general self efficacy (22.95±8.02). 65.5% of them had low score in total quality of life (41.56±18.59). A significant positive association was found between general self-efficacy and physical functioning (r=0.701), Physical role performance (r=0.350), emotional role performance (r=0.354), social functioning (r=0.821), psychological health (r=0.722), energy and vitality (r=0.749), body pain (r=0.783), general health (r=0.597) subscales and also with overall quality of life (r=0.797) (P<0.01). Conclusion Poor quality of life in elder people who live in elderly nursing homes is an important finding that needs special attention. Because of the significant correlation between general self-efficacy and different subscales of elder’s quality of life in this study, it is suggested that nurses can design and execute appropriate interventions to promote these peoples’ self-efficacy and quality of life.
