Individual Submission Summary
Share...

Direct link:

Health Literacy, Social Support and Self-efficacy among the Elderly: Evidence from HINTS-2017

Mon, August 13, 2:30 to 4:10pm, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Floor: Level 100, 113A

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between health literacy and self-efficacy for managing health as well as between perceived social support and self-efficacy among the elderly aged 65 and older in the United States. By conducting a secondary data analysis of the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), the results show that aging population who have difficulties in understanding health information would have less confidence in health management. Social support is positively associated with an individual’s self-efficacy in managing health, but emotional support exerts a greater influence than instrumental support. Elderly who receive more education and who currently have a significant other are more likely to report high level of self-efficacy. Gender does not have an impact on having more or less confidence in managing health, which rejects the assertion of traditional gender role theory that men would have more confidence in managing their own health as they exhibit more masculine traits and behaviors.

Author