High coping self-efficacy associated with lower odds of pre-frailty/frailty in older adults with chronic disease

Melissa D. Hladek, Jessica Gill, Karen Bandeen-Roche, Jeremy Walston, Jerilyn K. Allen, Janice L. Hinkle, Kate Lorig, Sarah L. Szanton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: Frailty affects an estimated 15% of community dwelling older adults. Few studies look at psychosocial variables like self-efficacy (confidence to perform well at a particular task or life domain) in relation to frailty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between pre-frailty/frailty and self-efficacy. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled community dwelling older adults 65 and older (N = 146) with at least one chronic condition. Scales included: 5-item FRAIL scale (including measures of Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of weight); coping self-efficacy used to measure confidence in one’s ability to problem solve, emotionally regulate and ask for support when problems in life occur; illness intrusiveness; patient health questionnaire to assess depressive symptoms; financial strain; life events count; social support; heart rate; tobacco use and body mass index. Logistic regression was used for model development. Results: Roughly half (49.3%) of the participants were frail/pre-frail. High coping self-efficacy was associated with a 92% decreased odds of pre-frailty/frailty after adjustment for age, sex, race, co-morbidities, heart rate, a life events count, and body mass index. This relationship remained significant when illness intrusiveness and depression scores were added to the model (OR: 0.10; p-value = 0.014). Increases in age, co-morbidities, heart rate and body mass index were also significantly associated with higher adjusted odds of pre-frailty/frailty. Conclusions: High coping self-efficacy was associated with greater odds of a robust state. Further consideration should be given to coping self-efficacy in frailty research and intervention development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1956-1962
Number of pages7
JournalAging and Mental Health
Volume24
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Frailty
  • chronic disease
  • coping self-efficacy
  • healthy aging
  • older adults

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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