Investigating the relationship between aging perception and self-efficacy in the older adults: a cross-sectional study in Eastern Iran (2024)

  • Mohsen Arjmand-sangani1,
  • Gholamreza Sharifzadeh2,
  • Narges Soltani3 &
  • Marzieh Torshizi3

BMC Geriatrics volume24, Articlenumber:649 (2024) Cite this article

  • 49 Accesses

  • Metrics details

Abstract

Background

With the global increase in the older adults population, understanding factors that impact their quality of life is crucial. The perception of aging and self-efficacy are significant factors affecting older adults health outcomes. This descriptive cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between Aging Perception and self-efficacyamong older adults individuals in Birjand city, a demographic that is rapidly increasing but under-research.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023 on 400 older adults individuals in Birjand city. Participants were selected using a random sampling method from four regions, ensuring a representative sample. Data were collected through two main questionnaires: the Shortened Perceived Aging Questionnaire (SPAQ) and the General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GSE), both validated for the Persian-speaking population. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS SOFTWARE. ARMONK, NY: IBM CORP. version 26, employing nonparametric tests due to the non-normal distribution of data.

Results

The study found a strong positive correlation between Aging Perception and self-efficacy (Spearman’s R = 0.79, p < 0.001), indicating that a more positive perception of aging is associated with higher self-efficacy. The analysis also revealed that men generally reported a more positive perception of aging and higher self-efficacy compared to women. However, underlying diseases and marital status did not significantly affect the Aging Perception or self-efficacy scores.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that enhancing self-efficacy among the older adults could improve their perception of aging, potentially leading to better health outcomes and quality of life. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions that consider cultural and gender-specific factors. Further research using longitudinal designs is recommended to explore the causality between Aging Perception and self-efficacy and to confirm these findings across different regions and cultural backgrounds in Iran.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of older adults worldwide is rapidly increasing. In 2023, there were an estimated 961million people aged 60 years and older, and this number is projected to reach 2billion by 2025. Notably, the majority of this growing population will reside in developing countries [1, 2]. In Iran, for instance, the 2016 census revealed that 3.9% of the population was over 60 years old, and this figure is expected to rise to 31.5% by 2050 [3]. In comparison to other West Asia and Middle-Eastern region countries, Iran’s aging population is growing at a similar rate, with countries such as Turkey and Egypt also experiencing significant increases in their older adults populations [4, 5].

Aging is a natural and inevitable part of life, characterized by physiological and psychological changes. It is a complex process that affects all living beings, including humans [6].

The perception of aging refers to an individual’s subjective view of their own aging process and their level of satisfaction with it. This perception reflects how well the individual has adapted to the various changes associated with aging. Importantly, the perception of aging has a significant impact on an older adult’s behavior and relationships with others. A negative perception of aging can lead to a decline in overall functioning [3].

Research has established a clear connection between the perception of aging and various health and psychological variables, including life satisfaction, depression, anxiety, daily living activities, and physical activity in older adults [7].

One such variable is self-efficacy, which refers to an individual’s confidence in their ability to achieve specific goals. Individuals with higher self-efficacy tend to enjoy better overall health [8, 9, 10].

Studies have shown that low self-efficacy is associated with various psychological and emotional disorders, as well as behavioral dysfunctions in older adults [9, 11,12,13,14,15,16,17].

Self-efficacy directly and indirectly influences individuals’ health behaviors and plays a crucial role in achieving goals, performing tasks, and coping with various challenges [18].

Self-efficacy expectations in specific domains may be influenced by stereotypes associated with aging, which can be reinforced through both positive and negative personal experiences.

Furthermore, perceived self-efficacy serves as a powerful source of control over behavior and plays a significant role in psychological adjustment, maintaining positive mental and physical health, and overall well-being [19, 20].

Several studies have explored the relationship between perception of aging and self-efficacy. For instance, a study by Havighurst et al. (2002) found that perception of aging significantly influences coping patterns (p < 0.001) [19]. Additionally, a study by Jang et al. (2015) revealed that older adults with lower education levels, lower socioeconomic status, and multiple health problems had a more negative perception of aging and health [21].

Given that the perception of aging can vary across societies and over time, researchers have emphasized the need for further research in this field. This is particularly relevant in the context of Iran, where the population of older adults is rapidly growing [3, 7, 22].

Considering the importance of empowering and improving the quality of life for older adults, and the lack of research on the relationship between perception of aging and self-efficacy in the Iranian context, this study aims to investigate this relationship among older adults in Iran.

Methods

Setting and study design

The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 400 older adults people in Birjand city from September 2022 to September 2023.

Populations, inclusion, and exclusion criteria

This study included older adults in Birjand city who were willing to participate, aged 60 years or older, had no history of neurological or psychiatric disorders, and did not have sensory impairments such as blindness or deafness. Participants were excluded if they were unwilling to participate in the study or if they did not complete the questionnaires.

Measurement instruments

The following questionnaires were used to collect data:

Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire: This questionnaire collected information about the participants’ age, gender, marital status, number of children, and underlying diseases.

Shortened Perceived Aging Questionnaire (SPAQ): This 17-item questionnaire measures an individual’s perception and feelings about aging. The dimensions of Perceived Aging included progressive course, positive results, positive control, results and negative control, and emotional reactions. The questionnaire is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The scoring for the control and negative outcomes subscales is reversed. The lowest possible score is 17 and the highest is 85, with a higher score indicating a deeper understanding of aging.

The English version of the questionnaire was developed by Barker et al. (2007) in Ireland [23] and is provided as a supplementary file. The questionnaire has been translated and validated into Persian by Sadeghi Moghadam et al. (2016) [24]. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the dimensions and the total questionnaire was 0.75, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.94, indicating good validity and reliability of the Persian version of the questionnaire.

To determine the content validity of the SPAQ in the present study, it was given to 10 faculty members of the Birjand University of Nursing and Midwifery. After making the necessary modifications, the reliability of the instruments was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The questionnaires were administered to 20 eligible research units, and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.90. The SPAQ was completed by the older adults once, on the day of the interview.

General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GSE): This 17-item questionnaire, developed by Sherer and Maddux (1982) [25], measures an individual’s general self-efficacy. It is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Items 1, 3, 8, 9, 13, and 15 are scored in reverse. The minimum score is 17 and the maximum is 85.

The English version of the questionnaire is provided as a supplementary file. Sherer and Maddux reported the validity of the GSE as 0.86, and Woodruff and Cashman (1982) [5] reported its validity as 0.84. Ali Nikaroui (2015) [26] obtained a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.78 for the scale. Ganji and Farajiani (2016) [27] reported the reliability of the instrument using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient as 0.81, and its content validity was also reported as good.

To determine the content validity of the GSE in the present study, it was given to 10 faculty members of the Birjand University of Nursing and Midwifery. After making the necessary modifications, the reliability of the instruments was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The questionnaires were administered to 20 eligible research units, and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.82. The GSE was completed by the older adults once, on the day of the interview.

Sampling

The study was conducted in Birjand city, Iran, from September 2022 to September 2023. In the first stage, the city was divided into four regions, and one health center was randomly selected from each region.

In the next stage, the researcher visited each health center in person and extracted the list of older adults people covered by that center from the SIB (Integrated Health System) system. The SIB system is the latest electronic health record system designed in Iran. It was officially launched in February 2016 with the aim of integrating health information and providing health and treatment services as part of the health sector programs in the Health Transformation Plan throughout the country.

Then, 100 older adults people were randomly selected from the list extracted from the SIB system. If they met the inclusion criteria, the center’s liaison contacted the older adults person and, after explaining the objectives of the research, invited them to participate in the study. A quiet room was chosen in the center for the interview with the older adults person.

If the older adults person was not willing to come to the health center, the interview was conducted at their home with their prior consent. If the older adults person was not willing to cooperate, another person was selected from the list.

The interview time was selected based on the convenience and suggestion of the older adults person. For older adults people who were unable to read and write, each questionnaire was read to them and each item was filled out based on their opinion and choice.

Sample size

The sample size was calculated using a power analysis to ensure adequate representation of the older adults population in Eastern Iran. Based on a previous study [3], we estimated a moderate effect size of 0.5 for the relationship between aging perception and self-efficacy. Using a power analysis with an alpha level of 0.05 and a power of 0.8, we determined that a minimum sample size of 384 participants was required. To account for potential non-response and incomplete questionnaires, we added 16 participants to the sample, resulting in a final sample size of 400 participants.

Statistical analysis

After data collection and ensuring the accuracy of data entry, descriptive statistics (frequency percentage, mean, standard deviation) were analyzed using SPSS SOFTWARE. ARMONK, NY: IBM CORP. version 26 software in the descriptive statistics section.

In the inferential statistics section, the normality of quantitative variables was first checked using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Since the data did not have a normal distribution, nonparametric analytical tests (Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used to analyze the data. A significance level of α = 0.05 was considered.

Results

The study involved 400 older adults in Birjand city, Iran, with a mean age of 75.4 ± 9.7 years, ranging from 60 to 92 years. The participants had a mean of 3.1 ± 2.1 children, with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 8 children (Table1).

Full size table

The analysis of the data revealed that the mean self-efficacy score was 40.5, with a standard deviation of 12.1, and scores ranging from 21 to 65. The total score of perception of aging had a mean of 51.1, with a standard deviation of 8.7, and scores ranging from 38 to 69. The dimensions of perception of aging, including progressive course, positive results, positive control, results and negative control, and emotional reactions, had mean scores ranging from 8.1 to 13.3, with varying standard deviations (Table2).

Full size table

A strong positive correlation was observed between perception of aging and self-efficacy, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of R = 0.79 and a p-value < 0.001, indicating a statistically significant relationship (Table3).

Full size table

The comparison of the average score of perception of aging based on demographic variables showed that male participants had a significantly higher mean score than females (52.5 ± 8.8 vs. 49.9 ± 8.4, p = 0.003), as determined by the Mann-Whitney U test. However, marital status did not significantly affect the mean scores (p = 0.55), according to the Kruskal-Wallis test. The presence of an underlying disease did not have a statistically significant effect on the mean perception of aging scores (p = 0.131), with participants with underlying diseases scoring slightly lower (50.4 ± 8.3) than those without (52.0 ± 9.0) (Table4).

The analysis of self-efficacy scores based on demographic variables indicated a marginally significant difference between female and male participants (39.5 ± 11.7 vs. 41.8 ± 12.3, p = 0.052). Marital status did not significantly affect the mean self-efficacy scores (p = 0.48), and the difference in scores between those with and without underlying diseases was not statistically significant (p = 0.37) (Table5).

Full size table

Discussion

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived aging and self-efficacy in older adults referring to comprehensive health service centers in Birjand city, Iran. Several studies have been conducted in different societies on the perceived aging and its effect on various aspects of older adults’ lives. In some of these studies, the level of perceived aging was reported to be low, while in others it was reported to be higher. The reason for these differences may be due to cultural differences and social factors that probably affect individual experiences of aging [28,29,30,31].

The mean score of perceived aging in our study was 51.1, with a standard deviation of 8.7, ranging from a minimum of 38 to a maximum of 69. These figures suggest a moderate level of perceived aging among the older adults in Birjand city, Iran.

According to the results of the present study, the mean score of perceived aging in men (52.5) was higher than that in women (49.9), which was statistically significant. This finding is consistent with the study of Mir Emadi et al. [32], who showed that perceived aging was significantly higher in older adults men than in older adults women. The study of Minhat et al. [1] in middle-aged women in Malaysia showed that they thought seriously about the possible negative experiences associated with aging and being old, but few of them experienced anxiety about aging. The occurrence of anxiety about aging was related to their personal experiences and observations of the surrounding society [30]. On the other hand, research has shown that women have a more negative perception of their own aging than men, and this issue is directly related to the common cultural stereotypes in each society, especially when emphasis is placed on physical appearance and biological changes associated with increasing age [33].

In the present study, a positive and significant correlation was observed between the perceived aging score and self-efficacy (p < 0.001), which is consistent with the study of Hava Tavoli et al. [19] on older adults over 75 years old, which showed that perceived aging has an effect on self-efficacy. The results of the present study showed that the mean score of self-efficacy in older adults in Birjand city was 40.5 ± 12.1, which was moderate. In the study of Salhi et al. [29], the mean score of self-efficacy in older adults living in Kahrizak nursing home was also evaluated as moderate. In the study of Azimiyan et al. [34], the majority of older adults in Ramsar city had moderate self-efficacy. Uchenwoke et al. [35] also evaluated the self-efficacy of people with mobility disabilities using assistive devices in selected communities in Nigeria as moderate. All of the above cases support the results obtained in the present study.

While the findings of the study by Kahe et al. [28] among older adults living in nursing homes under the supervision of the Welfare Organization of Tehran showed that the mean self-efficacy in these people was low, the findings of the study by Kashani Nia et al. [36] on older adults in Jiroft city showed that the majority of the older adults studied had high self-efficacy. In the research of Jamal-Livani et al. [37], the self-efficacy of older adults referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran was also evaluated as above average.

The findings of the present study showed that the mean score of self-efficacy in older adults without underlying diseases was higher than that in older adults with underlying diseases, which was statistically significant. This finding was consistent with the results of the studies by Emamghlizadeh Baboli et al. [38] and Aslani et al. [39]. In the study of Todorova et al. [40], which was conducted among 179 adults and older adults with physical disabilities in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, the same result was also reported. In fact, having underlying diseases increases individual problems such as pain, fatigue, and hopelessness, and involvement with more problems and reduced social interactions and participation, all of which are very effective in reducing self-efficacy.

According to the results of the present study, the marital status of older adults was not significantly correlated with their self-efficacy, which was consistent with the study of Torki et al. [41] who evaluated the self-efficacy of residents of nursing homes in the west of Tehran, and the study of Kashani Nia et al. [36].

The present study found that the mean self-efficacy score of men was higher than that of women, although this difference was not statistically significant. This finding is inconsistent with the study of Tore Bonsaksen et al. [42] in the Norwegian population, which showed that men had higher self-efficacy than women. However, the results of the present study are consistent with the studies of Azimiyan et al. [34], Doba et al. [43], and Cybulski et al. [44] which did not find a significant relationship between gender and self-efficacy in older adults.

To promote self-efficacy and perceived aging, it is essential to consider the cultural and social context of Iran. The study revealed that men generally reported higher self-efficacy and a more positive perception of aging compared to women, indicating the need for gender-specific interventions. These interventions could include educational programs aimed at improving self-efficacy and challenging negative perceptions of aging, particularly among older women.

Furthermore, while the presence of underlying diseases did not significantly affect the perception of aging or self-efficacy scores, it is important to address the health concerns of the older adults to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Health promotion programs that focus on disease management and prevention could indirectly support the enhancement of self-efficacy and perceived aging by improving the overall health status of the older adults.

Community-based initiatives that encourage social participation and engagement can also play a vital role in promoting self-efficacy and a positive perception of aging. By providing opportunities for older adults to contribute to their communities and maintain social connections, these initiatives can help combat feelings of isolation and increase feelings of competence and self-worth.

Strengths

The current study has several strengths. Firstly, it utilizes a large sample size from the older adults population in Birjand City, Iran, which enhances the reliability of the results. Secondly, it provides a comprehensive and balanced review of the literature, lending credibility to the research. The study also employs highly accurate measurement tools for data collection, ensuring the precision of the findings. The utilization of both descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis allows for a thorough examination of the data. The article is well-organized and written in a clear and concise manner. Lastly, this study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between aging perception and self-efficacy in the Iranian older adults population, which could be beneficial for future research and policy-making.

Limitations

Despite its strengths, the study does have some limitations. The cross-sectional design means it can’t determine causality, only correlations. The sampling method, which involved selecting participants from comprehensive health service centers, may introduce selection bias as these individuals might not represent the overall older adults population. The use of self-report questionnaires can also lead to self-reporting bias, which could potentially skew the results. The findings may not be generalizable to other older adults populations in Iran or other countries because of cultural and social differences. Finally, the study didn’t include individuals with neurological or psychiatric disorders or sensory impairments such as blindness or deafness, thereby limiting the scope of the research.

Conclusion

This study found a significant positive correlation between perceived aging and self-efficacy among older adults in Birjand City, Iran. Men reported higher self-efficacy and a more positive perception of aging compared to women, suggesting the need for gender-specific interventions. While underlying diseases and marital status did not significantly affect these scores, addressing health concerns is crucial for overall well-being.

These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between perceived aging and self-efficacy in the Iranian context. They highlight the importance of self-efficacy in shaping individuals’ experiences of aging and suggest that interventions targeting gender-specific factors could be beneficial. Future research with longitudinal designs and more diverse samples is needed to further explore the causal relationships and generalizability of these findings.

Data availability

The datasets generated in the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

WHO:

World Health Organization

SPAQ:

Shortened Perceived Aging Questionnaire

References

  1. Kharameh ZT, Khoshravesh S, Noori R, Abdolmalaki M, Bakhshi M. Determinants of medication adherence among Iranian elderly patients with chronic diseases. Jundishapur J Chronic Disease Care 2018, 7(3).

  2. Sabbaghi M, Miri K, Namazinia M: Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on trauma-related emergency medical service in older people: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Emergency Medicine 2023, 23(1):98.

  3. Khiyali Z, Javidi Z, Elham Banaei E, Afsaneh Ghasemi A, Dehghan A. Relationship between perception of aging and social support with treatment adherence in the aged with type 2 diabetes in Fasa, 2018. J Gerontol. 2021;5(4):54–65.

    Google Scholar

  4. Mehri N, Messkoub M, Kunkel S. Trends, determinants and the implications of population aging in Iran. Ageing Int. 2020;45(4):327–43.

    Article Google Scholar

  5. Miri K, Sabbaghi M, Mazlum SR, Namazinia M. The trend of change in the role of pre-hospital emergency medical services in Iran’s healthcare system: a situational analysis. BMC Emerg Med. 2023;23(1):99.

    Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar

  6. Hosseini A, Mjdy A, Hassani G. Investigating the role of social support on the quality of life of the elderly in Mashhad in 2014. J Gerontol. 2016;1(2):10–8.

    Article Google Scholar

  7. Manige HS, Papi S, Sahaf R, Asl MA, Ramshini M, Rassafiani M, Bodaghi AM. Predicting the perception of aging based on optimism in the elderly people. Iran J Ageing. 2020;14(4):450–61.

    Google Scholar

  8. Schunk DH, DiBenedetto MK. Self-efficacy and human motivation. Advances in motivation science. Volume 8. edn.: Elsevier; 2021. pp. 153–79.

  9. Mazloum SR, Rajabzadeh M, Mohajer S, Bahrami-Taghanaki H, Namazinia M. Comparing the effects of warm footbath and foot reflexology on the fatigue of patients undergoing radiotherapy: a randomized clinical trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2023;22:15347354231172940.

    Article CAS PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar

  10. Ghlichi Moghaddam N, Namazinia M, Hajiabadi F, Mazlum SR: The efficacy of phase I cardiac rehabilitation training based on augmented reality on the self-efficacy of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized clinical trial. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 2023, 15(1):156.

  11. Ghezelseflo M, Mirza M. The role of self-compassion in Predicting loneliness and self-efficacy in the Elderly. Iran J Ageing. 2020;15(2):212–23.

    Google Scholar

  12. Lippke S. Self-efficacy theory. Encyclopedia Personality Individual Differences 2020:4722–7.

  13. Zhou C, Yue XD, Zhang X, Shangguan F, Zhang XY. Self-efficacy and mental health problems during COVID-19 pandemic: a multiple mediation model based on the Health Belief Model. Pers Indiv Differ. 2021;179:110893.

    Article Google Scholar

  14. Tajigharajeh S, Safari M, Abadi TSH, Abadi SSH, Kargar M, Panahi M, Hasani M, Ghaedchukamei Z. Determining the relationship between emotional intelligence and interpersonal sensitivity with quality of work life in nurses. J Educ Health Promotion. 2021;10(1):174.

    Article Google Scholar

  15. Namazinia M, Mazlum SR, Mohajer S, Lopez V. Effects of laughter yoga on health-related quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2023;23(1):192.

    Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar

  16. Mohajer S, Mazlum SR, Rajabzadeh M, Namazinia M. The effect of laughter yoga on depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized clinical trial. Hayat. 2022;28(3):284–95.

    Google Scholar

  17. Akar M, Miri K, Mazloum SR, Hajiabadi F, Hamedi Z, Vakilian F, Dehghan H: The impact of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in phase II cardiac rehabilitation program on the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft Surgery. Current Problems in Cardiology 2023:102221.

  18. Rasoulifar A, Vahedian-Shahroodi M, Jamali J, Tehrani H. Self-efficacy and its relationship with factors affecting nutritional status in elderly. Payesh (Health Monitor). 2020;19(2):205–15.

    Google Scholar

  19. Tovel H, Carmel S, Raveis VH. Relationships among self-perception of aging, physical functioning, and self-efficacy in late life. Journals Gerontology: Ser B. 2019;74(2):212–21.

    Article Google Scholar

  20. Farahaninia M, Hoseinabadi TS, Raznahan R, Haghani S. The teach-back effect on self-efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Rev Diabet Stud. 2020;16(1):46–50.

    Article PubMed Google Scholar

  21. Jang Y, Poon LW, Kim S-Y, Shin B-K. Self-perception of aging and health among older adults in Korea. J Aging Stud. 2004;18(4):485–96.

    Article Google Scholar

  22. Pan Y, Chan SH, Xu Y, Yeung KC. Determinants of life satisfaction and self-perception of ageing among elderly people in China: an exploratory study in comparison between physical and social functioning. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019;84:103910.

    Article PubMed Google Scholar

  23. Barker M, O’Hanlon A, McGee HM, Hickey A, Conroy RM. Cross-sectional validation of the aging perceptions questionnaire: a multidimensional instrument for assessing self-perceptions of aging. BMC Geriatr. 2007;7:1–13.

    Article Google Scholar

  24. Sadegh Moghadam L, Foroughan M, Mohammadi Shahboulaghi F, Ahmadi F, Sajjadi M, Farhadi A. Validity and reliability of the Persian version of the brief aging perceptions Questionnaire in Iranian older adults. Clin Interv Aging 2016:507–11.

  25. Sherer M, Maddux JE, Mercandante B, Prentice-Dunn S, Jacobs B, Rogers RW. The self-efficacy scale: construction and validation. Psychol Rep. 1982;51(2):663–71.

    Article Google Scholar

  26. Alinikavari R: Relationship between self-efficacy and mental health of secondary school student in babol in the academic years 2001. MA., thesis]. Tehran: Allameh Tabatabei University; 2002.

  27. Gangi A, Farahani M. The relationship between job stress and self efficacy with life satisfaction in gas accident workers from Isfahan Gas Company. Res Psychol Health. 2010;2(3):15–24.

    Google Scholar

  28. Kahe M, Vameghi R, Foroughan M, Bakhshi E, Bakhtyari V. The relationships between self-concept and self-efficacy with self-management among elderly of sanatoriums in Tehran. Iran J Ageing. 2018;13(1):28–37.

    Google Scholar

  29. Solhi M, Bararpour F, Hosseini F. Self-efficacy and quality of life in elderly residents of Kahrizak. 2018.

  30. HS M. A qualitative study on ageing related anxiety among middle aged women in Malaysia. Malaysian J Public Health Med 2015:1–7.

  31. Alizadeh-Taghiabad B, Mazloum SR, Miri K, Namazinia M. Determining the frequency of burn wound dressing for clinically competent nursing students: establishing standards based on learning curves. BMC Med Educ. 2023;23(1):678.

    Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar

  32. Miremadi M, HERAVI KM, Rejeh N, SHARIFNIA H, Montazeri A. Validation of the persian version of aging perceptions questionnaire (APQ). 2018.

  33. Rubin DC, Berntsen D. People over forty feel 20% younger than their age: subjective age across the lifespan. Psychon Bull Rev. 2006;13(5):776–80.

    Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar

  34. Azimian J, Mohammadi F, Javadi A, Asgarian N. Correlation between health literacy and self-efficacy of the elderly. J Qazvin Univ Med Sci. 2020;24(3):224–33.

    Article Google Scholar

  35. Uchenwoke CI, Arinze BO, Nwankwo MJ, Umunnah JO. Quality of life, self-esteem, self-efficacy and social participation of persons living with mobility-related disability using mobility aids devices within select Nigerian communities. Disabil Rehabilitation: Assist Technol. 2023;18(5):532–7.

    Google Scholar

  36. Kashaninia Z, Haghani H. The relationship between social health and general self-efficacy in the elderly of jiroft in 2018. J Jiroft Univ Med Sci. 2021;7(4):532–42.

    Google Scholar

  37. Jamal-livani H, Jafari M, Alimohammadzadeh K. The role of social support on elderly death anxiety through self-efficacy mediation. J Gerontol. 2020;5(1):11–8.

    Google Scholar

  38. Pashaii SF, Fotokian Z. Investigating Factors Affecting General Self-efficacy in the Elderly with Physical-motor Disabilities. 2023.

  39. Aslani M, Amidi Mazaheri M, Batavani M. Self-efficacy among older adults in Fereydunshahr City. Iran J Ageing. 2016;11(4):558–65.

    Google Scholar

  40. Todorova SA. Study of the incidence of some chronic diseases among patients with long-term physical disabilities. Open Access Macedonian J Med Sci. 2021;9(B):1140–8.

    Article Google Scholar

  41. Torki Y, Hajikazemi E, Bastani F, Haghani H. General self efficacy in elderly living in rest-homes. 2011.

  42. Bonsaksen T, Lerdal A, Heir T, Ekeberg Ø, Skogstad L, Grimholt TK, Schou-Bredal I. General self-efficacy in the Norwegian population: differences and similarities between sociodemographic groups. Scand J Public Health. 2019;47(7):695–704.

    Article PubMed Google Scholar

  43. Doba N, Tokuda Y, Saiki K, Kushiro T, Hirano M, Matsubara Y, Hinohara S. Assessment of self-efficacy and its relationship with frailty in the elderly. Intern Med. 2016;55(19):2785–92.

    Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar

  44. Cybulski M, Cybulski L, Krajewska-Kulak E, Cwalina U. The level of emotion control, anxiety, and self-efficacy in the elderly in Bialystok, Poland. Clin Interv Aging 2017:305–14.

Download references

Acknowledgements

This article was extracted from a research project performed with the financial support of the vice-chancellor for research at Birjand University of Medical Sciences.

Funding

This research was supported by a grant from Birjand University of Medical Sciences.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

    Mohsen Arjmand-sangani

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

    Gholamreza Sharifzadeh

  3. Instructor of Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

    Narges Soltani&Marzieh Torshizi

Authors

  1. Mohsen Arjmand-sangani

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMedGoogle Scholar

  2. Gholamreza Sharifzadeh

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMedGoogle Scholar

  3. Narges Soltani

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMedGoogle Scholar

  4. Marzieh Torshizi

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMedGoogle Scholar

Contributions

All authors have read and approved the manuscript. Study design: MA, MT, NS; data collection and analysis: MA; manuscript preparation: MA, GS.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marzieh Torshizi.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the ethics committee of Birjand University of Medical Sciences (IR.BUMS.REC.1401.173) and complied with the Declaration of Helsinki; informed consent has been obtained from the subjects. The study purpose and importance were explained to participants, who met the inclusion criteria, and they signed the written informed consent form. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations, which are aligned with the Declaration.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Investigating the relationship between aging perception and self-efficacy in the older adults: a cross-sectional study in Eastern Iran (1)

Cite this article

Arjmand-sangani, M., Sharifzadeh, G., Soltani, N. et al. Investigating the relationship between aging perception and self-efficacy in the older adults: a cross-sectional study in Eastern Iran. BMC Geriatr 24, 649 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05231-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05231-7

Keywords

  • Perception of aging
  • Self-efficacy
  • Cross-sectional studies
  • Aged
Investigating the relationship between aging perception and self-efficacy in the older adults: a cross-sectional study in Eastern Iran (2024)

FAQs

What is the relationship between self-efficacy and successful aging? ›

Self-efficacy, a person's belief in his or her ability to influence life events,32 has been associated with increased self-care among older persons,33 as well as with improvements in older persons' ratings of their healthy aging.

What is perceived self-efficacy associated with an older adults? ›

In older adults, perceived stress and self-efficacy are associated with verbal fluency, reasoning, and prospective memory (Moderated by socioeconomic position)

How does age affect perception of health? ›

Similarly, 9 quantitative studies demonstrated that negative perception of aging is associated with lower quality of life. Results of the mixed-method and qualitative studies indicated that older adults with higher morale and good physical capability had more positive perceptions of health.

What is the relationship of aging to self-esteem the relative effects of maturation and role accumulation? ›

Findings indicate those over age sixty-five experience heightened levels of self-esteem, especially on self-efficacy, compared to their younger counterparts. However, through the intervening variable of role accumulation, older age is associated with decreases in self-esteem.

How does self-efficacy change with age? ›

Age-Related Changes in Self-Efficacy

Early work has shown that self-efficacy is lower in older adults compared with younger and middle-aged adults (Gecas 1989). However, some work also shows that changes over time in self-efficacy vary by domain (Grembowski et al. 1993; McAvay et al. 1996).

What has the strongest influence on self-efficacy? ›

The strongest source of self-efficacy is mastery experiences, where individuals engage in activities or tasks that lead to successful outcomes. These experiences provide the most direct and powerful way to build confidence in one's ability to succeed and overcome challenges.

What influences self perception of aging across adulthood? ›

Although SPA arise primarily out of individuals' personal experiences, they are also influenced by general views of aging, such as age stereotypes, general attitudes toward aging, and cultural images of aging [6, 7, 8].

What are the 4 influences of self-efficacy? ›

One's sense of self-efficacy can provide the foundation for motivation, well-being, and personal accomplishment. People's beliefs in their efficacy are developed by four primary sources of influence, including (i) mastery experiences, (ii) vicarious experiences, (iii) social persuasion, and (iv) emotional states.

What is an example of perceived self-efficacy? ›

Examples of High Self-Efficacy

A person struggling to manage a chronic illness feels confident that they can get back on track and improve their health by working hard and following their doctor's recommendations. A student who feels confident that they will be able to learn the information and do well on a test.

How is perception affected by aging? ›

It is well known that ageing is associated with declines in both perception and cognition. As we age, there is increased need for perceptual aids such as glasses and hearing aids, and we start to find cognitive tasks such as paying attention and remembering more difficult.

How does ageing affect a person psychologically? ›

While most have good health, many are at risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. Many may also experience reduced mobility, chronic pain, frailty, dementia or other health problems, for which they require some form of long-term care.

How does perception of time change with age? ›

As adults, “the brain receives fewer images than it was trained to receive when young,” Bejan said. Therefore, we feel like time went by more quickly. In other words, there are physiological factors at play that influence our perception of time ― namely, the older we get, the faster it feels.

How does Ageing affect confidence and self-esteem? ›

Understanding the Impact of Aging on Self-Confidence

As we age, physical changes become apparent—from wrinkles to grey hairs—which can indeed take a toll on self-esteem. But it's not just about looks. Reduced mobility, health issues, or a feeling of lost independence can also weigh heavily on confidence levels.

What is the relationship between age and self-esteem? ›

Studies have shown that self-esteem reaches a peak in one's 50s or 60s, and then sharply drops in old age (4–7). This is a characteristic change, so it is important to reveal about when self-esteem peaks across the life span. This drop is thought to occur mainly for two reasons [e.g., Robins et al.

What effect does aging have on the self-image of the elderly? ›

Seniors who develop age-related physical or cognitive problems are likely to experience lower self-esteem, simply because they are no longer able to perform tasks independently. Being unable to drive or live alone, for example, seniors experience a perceived loss of control, capability, and identity.

What does self-efficacy have to do with success? ›

Self-efficacy is about believing in your ability to handle situations or achieve realistic goals. It shapes how you tackle challenges and set your sights on what you want to accomplish. If you have high general self-efficacy, you tend to approach life with a confident outlook.

What is the relationship between self-efficacy? ›

While the two terms are related, there are some important distinctions. Self-confidence is more general and refers to a person's overall belief in themselves in all contexts. Self-efficacy, on the other hand, is more specific and context-dependent.

What is the relationship between self-efficacy and achievement motivation? ›

The study found that there was a significant positive correlation between general self-efficacy and achievement motivation. The stronger the general self-efficacy, the higher the achievement motivation.

What is the relationship between self-efficacy and performance? ›

As stated above, a primary means through which self-efficacy influences performance is via resource allocation. Individuals' confidence in their abilities informs decisions about how many resources, such as time and effort, should be allocated to a given endeavor.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 6353

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.