Exploring Lifestyle Activities to Reduce Internalized Ageism: Self-Efficacy as a Mediator Between Exercise, Volunteering, Computer Use, and Self-Perceptions of Aging

2021 ◽  
pp. 009141502110241
Author(s):  
Andrew Steward ◽  
Leslie Hasche
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Lifestyle Activities ◽  
The Relationship

The objective of this study is to test self-efficacy as a mediator in the relationship between three lifestyle activities (exercise, volunteering, and computer use) and self-perceptions of aging (SPA) among older adults. We hypothesize that increased self-efficacy will mediate the relationship between lifestyle activities and more positive SPA. This is a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis drawn from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; n = 4,561). Bootstrapping procedures were applied to test the significance of the indirect effects of self-efficacy in the relationship between lifestyle activities and SPA. Results indicate significant direct effects between exercise, computer use, and self-efficacy. Direct effects were observed between exercise, volunteering, computer use, and SPA. Self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between exercise, volunteering, computer use, and SPA. Implications for practitioners working with older adults are discussed. Future research should test formal intervention programs aimed at reducing internalized ageism through additional pathways.

scholarly journals Self-Efficacy as a Mediator Between Lifestyle and Self-Perceptions of Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 423-424
Author(s):  
Andrew Steward ◽  
Leslie Hasche
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Lifestyle Activities ◽  
The Impact

Abstract A growing body of literature demonstrates the public health impacts of negative self-perceptions of aging (SPA). However, minimal research has explored mediating mechanisms as well as which lifestyle activities may influence SPA. Based on theory and prior research in successful aging, this study explored the impact of lifestyle activities on SPA and tested self-efficacy as a mediator between lifestyle activities and SPA. This study analyzed cross-sectional data from the psychosocial module in the 2018 wave of the Health and Retirement study (N = 2,675; mean age = 65.67/ SD = 9.95). Eight SPA items (e.g., “Things keep getting worse as I get older”) were derived from the Attitudes Toward Own Aging subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. 10 items measure self-efficacy on a 6-point Likert-type scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. 21 lifestyle activities covering physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual domains were dichotomized into whether respondents participate at least monthly. Multiple regression analyses were utilized. Results indicate that self-efficacy explained 23% of the variance in SPA while holding constant age, gender, and functional ability. Sobel’s test showed that self-efficacy mediated the relationship between lifestyle activities and SPA. Exercise explained the most variance in SPA, followed by computer use and volunteering. Building upon successful aging literature, this study demonstrates the impact of self-efficacy and helps distinguish which lifestyle activities may be most effective in improving SPA. In addition to individual-level lifestyle activities, the impact of structural interventions on SPA should be tested in future research.

scholarly journals The Association Between Recent Family Death and Self-Perceptions of Aging Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 450-450
Author(s):  
Shu Xu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Child Death ◽  
Parental Death ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Family Loss

Abstract The loss of a family member may have a significant influence on one’s aging experience in life. Self-perceptions of aging, which are an individual’s beliefs or evaluation of their experiences of aging, have been described as an important factor for one’s health and daily life. However, there is little research on the association between family death and self-perceptions of aging. This study examines the relationships between recent family death, self-perceptions of aging, and gender of the bereaved among middle-aged and older adults. Using nationally representative data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we conducted cross-sectional analysis on adults age 50 years and older (n=1,839). Self-perceptions of aging were accessed by 8 items derived from the Attitudes Toward Own Aging subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale and the Berlin Aging Study, and we considered recent family death (i.e., parental death, spousal death, sibling death and child death), as well as gender of the bereaved. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that respondents who experienced recent family death report less positive self-perceptions of aging compared to those who did not experience recent family death (t = 12.40, p < .01). Recent parental death was more negatively related with self-perceptions of aging for bereaved women than for bereaved men (χ2 = 4.28, p < .05). Findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults experiencing recent family loss have less positive self-perceptions of aging, and gender of the bereaved plays an important role in the relationship between parental death and self-perceptions of aging.

scholarly journals Stress and Nursing Home Adjustment: Mediation by Resourcefulness and Self-Efficacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 184-184
Author(s):  
Huimin Xiao ◽  
Binbin Yong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
General Self Efficacy

Abstract Relocation to a nursing home is often assumed to be associated with stress for older adults. This study aimed to explore how stress affect psychological adjustment of nursing home residents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A sample of 386 nursing home residents was recruited from 11 nursing homes in Fujian Province, Southeast China. The Nursing Home Adjustment Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Resourceful Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale were adopted to collect data. The path analysis was used to analyze the relationship of stress, nursing home adjustment, resourcefulness, and self-efficacy. The results indicated that stress directly caused poor nursing home adjustment. It also indirectly affected nursing home adjustment through the mediators of resourcefulness and self-efficacy, respectively. Furthermore, chained mediation was found from stress to nursing home adjustment through resourcefulness, and then through self-efficacy to cope with the negative affect. The current study contributes to the understanding of the mechanism of stress on nursing home adjustment in older adults. To improve their psychological adjustment, additional focus should be placed on enhancing resourcefulness and self-efficacy in nursing home residents.

Moderating Role of Self-efficacy on Benign Envy—Employee Engagement Relationship

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-243
Author(s):  
Md. Hassan Jafri
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Private Organizations ◽  
Benign Envy ◽  
The Relationship

Perception of negative emotions including envy is on rise specifically in private organizations, which has important implications on employees’ attitudes and behaviors. This study examined the relationship between benign envy (one of the two forms of envy) and employee engagement. Furthermore, mechanisms underlying benign envy–outcome relationship are not well understood. To enhance this knowledge, this study investigated self-efficacy as a mechanism in understanding the relationship between benign envy and employee engagement. Relying on cross-sectional study design, data were gathered from 107 employees at two different point of times from private organizations of the service sector. Self-report measures comprising of all variables of the study were adopted. Data were analyzed and interpreted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 21. Correlations and moderated regression analyses revealed that benign envy is not significantly related to employee engagement. However, the results revealed that the interaction term of benign envy and self-efficacy had significant influence on employee engagement, that is, the relationship between the two variables became significant under the condition of high self-efficacy. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed and the article concluded with an outline for possible future research.

scholarly journals Social Relationships and Self-Perceptions of Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 450-450
Author(s):  
Hanamori Skoblow ◽  
Christine Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Friend Support ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Interpersonal Factors ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Recent research has demonstrated that social relationships are positively associated with self-perceptions of aging (SPA; Santini et al., 2019), although to date, this evidence is cross-sectional. The current study builds on previous work and explores the longitudinal relation between social relationships and SPA, and whether these associations might be buffered by perceived mastery. Using repeated measures data from three waves (2008, 2012, and 2016) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we examined how relationship quality (i.e., support and strain) influenced self-perceptions of aging among adults aged 65+ (n = 1477). Greater support from friends in 2008 was significantly associated with better SPA in 2016, and this effect was amplified by high levels of mastery in 2012. That is, older adults with high mastery and high friend support reported more positive SPA than individuals with less mastery or friend support, controlling for gender, age, race, education, income, depressive symptoms, self-rated health, and baseline SPA. Relationship quality with spouse, children, and other family members were not significant predictors of SPA, nor did mastery moderate the association between these relationships and SPA. These results provide evidence for the importance of interpersonal factors such as friendship quality and individual factors in understanding older adults’ perceptions of the aging process.

There Is Still Time to Be Active: Self-Perceptions of Aging, Physical Activity, and the Role of Perceived Residual Lifetime Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-815
Author(s):  
Ann-Kristin Beyer ◽  
Maja Wiest ◽  
Susanne Wurm
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Residual Lifetime ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions ◽  
The Relationship

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are a resource in later life. As aging is accompanied with perceptions of the finitude of life, it is assumed that perceived residual lifetime may play a role in the relationship between SPA and health behavior. Among older adults aged 65 years and older, the present study tested whether the relationships between gain- and loss-related SPA and two kinds of physical activity are moderated by perceived residual lifetime. Data were based on 2.367 participants over a 3-year period. Participants with less gain-related SPA were less likely to walk on a regular basis; however, a longer residual lifetime compensated for this negative effect. In addition, participants did sports more often if they not only held less loss-related SPA but also perceived a longer residual lifetime. These results emphasize the importance of perceived residual lifetime in health promotion interventions targeting physical activity in older adults.

scholarly journals What is the Relationship between Functional Limitations, Pain, and Self-Perceptions of Aging?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 607-608
Author(s):  
Jillian Minahan ◽  
Ashley Blasi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) influences health and mortality during older adulthood (e.g., Kotter-Grühn et al., 2009; Sargent-Cox et al., 2012). Westerhof and Wurm (2015) found that increasing functional limitations (FL) worsened older adults’ SPA. Additional research is needed to identify other factors that influence SPA. Although pain is common among older adults and is a frequent cause of disability (e.g., Brooks et al., 2019), it has not been examined as a factor influencing SPA. Pain is often misperceived as an inevitable part of aging because of widely held negative stereotypes about aging (Thielke et al., 2012). The experience of pain may activate internalized negative stereotypes about aging, which may worsen SPA. Thus, this study investigated: 1) the relationship between chronic and recent pain, FL, and SPA, and 2) the interactive effect of FL and pain on SPA within a sample of community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older. This study included 5,126 participants from the 2014 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. Controlling for covariates, chronic pain (β = .09, p < .001) and recent pain (β = .12, p < .001) were associated with negative SPA and were stronger than FL (β = .04, p < .01). There was also a small interaction between FL and recent pain on SPA (β = -.03, p < .01) such that the negative impact of FL on SPA was stronger among individuals who reported low pain. These findings highlight the importance of pain in older adults’ evaluation of their own aging.

scholarly journals Association of eHealth Use, Literacy, Informational Social Support, and Health-Promoting Behaviors: Mediation of Health Self-Efficacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7890
Author(s):  
MoonKi Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Informational Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Promoting Behaviors ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Republic

This descriptive, cross-sectional study identified the association of eHealth use, literacy, informational support, and health-promoting behaviors among older adults, as mediated by health self-efficacy. Convenience sampling was conducted at senior welfare centers in Chuncheon, in the Republic of Korea. Data analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation and via path analyses. The findings showed that eHealth use had an indirect effect on health-promoting behaviors, as mediated by self-efficacy. Informational support was indirectly mediated by self-efficacy and had direct effects upon health-promoting behaviors. eHealth can facilitate self-efficacy and health management, despite not having direct effects upon health-promoting behaviors themselves. Thus, older adults need to be prepared for the increased use of eHealth. In addition, healthcare professionals should support older people in their use of eHealth and encourage informational support through comprehensive interventions so as to facilitate self-efficacy and health behaviors.

The relationship between change in self-perceptions of aging and physical functioning in older adults.

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 750-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry A. Sargent-Cox ◽  
Kaarin J. Anstey ◽  
Mary A. Luszcz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
The Relationship
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