Self-efficacy in older adults better during COVID-19 pandemic

Older adults ageing-in-place at their homes show a higher degree of self-efficacy, reports a recent study. Such an effect appears to be driven by better confidence in managing their social interactions at home.

The study included 214 older adults (mean age 71.04, 71.5 percent women) in whom the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was used to measure self-efficacy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PROMIS scores for self-efficacy at managing chronic conditions and social interactions was significantly better during the pandemic (mean, 48.7 vs 45.0; p=0.02). General self-efficacy likewise trended better during vs before the COVID-19 pandemic (p=0.07).

Of note, participants who completed their baseline assessments during the pandemic were more likely to score better in self-efficacy at managing social interactions (β, 3.02, 95 percent confidence interval, 0.15–5.88).

“Prior to COVID-19, many older adults may have assumed they would be able to live independently but may have had reservations or self-doubt about being completely cut off from loved ones,” the researchers said. “In experiencing the COVID-19 restrictions, older adults may have overcome any self-doubt, experiencing what being homebound entails and managing effectively.”

Successfully enduring COVID-19 isolation could have helped older adults feel more secure in themselves and have given them confidence that they could manage other such scenarios.

“Future studies will help determine if the higher self-efficacy gained during the COVID-19 pandemic remains or extends the ability of older adults to age-in-place,” they added.