The Relationship between Social Health and General Self-efficacy in the elderly of Jiroft in 2018

The purpose of life in old age is not only to live a long life and to be alive, but also the type and quality of life and consequently, the general self-efficacy of the elderly is important. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between social health and general self-efficacy of the elderly people of Jiroft in 2018.

In this descriptive-correlational study, 192 elderly people in Jiroft city were selected, using availability sampling, to participate in the present study. The demographic, Keyes’ social health, and Schwartz and Jerusalem’s general self-efficacy questionnaires were completed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (correlation coefficient, independent t-test, and ANOVA) were run and significant level was considered p<0.05.

It was revealed that all participants had a high social health. Moreover, the variables that constitute social health had a positive effect on the general self-efficacy of the elderly people excluding the social integration variable (p<0.01). It was also indicated that the age, education level, type of job, and income level had a significant effect on the social health (p<0.01).

Promoting social health in the elderly can lead to high self-efficacy and subsequently higher physical and mental health, better physical performance, and higher life satisfaction. Accordingly, for the successful planning and policy making in the health system against the aging phenomenon, promoting the social health of the elderly in society is particularly important.




Keywords:  Social Health, General Self-Efficacy, Elderly