THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG SELF-EFFICACY, HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH PRACTICES IN OLDER ADULTS.
Contributors: University of South Carolina.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 121
Subjects: Gerontology.; Education, Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This was a research study using a survey design. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship of self-efficacy, health knowledge, and health practices of adults, 65-85 years old. The population used was a convenient sample of 249 older adults, mean age 73 years, of which 60% were female and 40% were male.

It was hypothesized that in this sample of volunteer normally healthy older adults, the interaction of the independent variables, health knowledge and self-efficacy, would have a significant and greater effect in predicting the dependent variable, health practices, than would either health knowledge or self-efficacy acting alone. The hypothesis was tested using a Linear Regression Interaction Model.

The strong relationship predicted to exist between the interaction of health knowledge, self-efficacy, and health practices was not supported although the relationship was significant. Self-efficacy had a main effect which was stronger than anticipated and stronger than the interactive effects of health knowledge and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy appears to be a critical factor in the success of older adult health promotional programs in bringing about the development of favorable health practices. Replication of this study is suggested to substantiate these findings.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-03, Section: A, page: 0770.

Thesis (ED.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1988.

School code: 0202.