File(s) under permanent embargo
Maintaining autonomy despite multimorbidity: self-efficacy and the two faces of social support
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 09:50 authored by Warner, LM, Ziegelmann, JP, Benjamin SchuezBenjamin Schuez, Wurm, S, Tesch-Romer, C, Schwarzer, RAbstract Multimorbidity—the co-occurrence of multiple illnesses—is a frequent condition in older adults and poses serious threats to autonomy. In order to identify resources for autonomy despite multimorbidity, our longitudinal study tested main and interaction effects of personal and social resources (self-efficacy and social support) on maintaining autonomy. Three hundred and nine individuals (aged 65–85 years) with multiple illnesses completed measures of self-efficacy beliefs, received instrumental social support and perceptions of autonomy. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Cross-sectionally, individuals with lower perceptions of autonomy received more support from their networks. Longitudinally, the relation of received support with autonomy was moderated by self-efficacy: Simple slopes analyses showed that social support compensated for lower levels of self-efficacy, whereas in individuals with higher self-efficacy the resources interfered. Receiving social support bolstered autonomy in lower self-efficacious individuals, but in highly self-efficacious individuals support threatened autonomy. This has implications for both theory and practice, as it suggests differential effects of social resources depending on personal resources.
History
Publication title
European Journal of AgingVolume
8Pagination
3-12ISSN
1613-9372Department/School
School of Psychological SciencesPublisher
SpringerPlace of publication
GermanyRights statement
Copyright 2011 Springer-Verlag.Repository Status
- Restricted