Self-concept and functional independence in the hospitalized elderly

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Healthcare Studies

Background:

• Older adults face unique challenges related to hospitalization and its impact on psychological well-being.
• Maintaining functional independence is crucial for the quality of life in elderly populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between different types of hospitalization and the self-concept and functional independence of individuals over 65.
• To identify specific factors associated with hospitalization that may negatively affect elderly individuals' psychological state and daily living capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale to assess self-concept.
• Employed the Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) to measure functional independence.
• Compared self-concept and functional independence scores between hospitalized and non-hospitalized groups, as well as among different hospitalized subgroups.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in self-concept scores were observed among various hospitalized groups.
• Elderly individuals demonstrating a higher degree of dependence exhibited lower self-concept scores.
• A correlation was found between the level of functional independence and self-concept in the studied population.

Conclusions:

• Hospitalization can influence the self-concept of older adults, with varying effects depending on the nature of the hospitalization.
• Promoting independence in self-care activities is a potential strategy to mitigate the negative effects of hospitalization on self-concept in the elderly.
• Interventions focused on enhancing functional independence may lead to improved psychological well-being and self-perception in older adults.