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| - | = Importance of Self-Efficacy and Perceived Control in Relocation of the Aged = | + | == Importance of Self-Efficacy and Perceived Control in Relocation of the Aged == |
| + | Perceptions of control are important predictors of behavior and social behaviour (Smith et al., 2000). This is no difference in the aged. When moving an aging relative into a more care intensive environment, such as a Nursing home or long term care facility, the issues of self efficacy and perceived control are particularly important factors in both preparing and facilitating the transition. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Self-Efficacy === | ||
| + | Self efficacy is an individual’s belief in how well they can perform a specific task (Rodgers, Conner, & Murray, 2008). If an individual is confident, it can improve their ability to complete the task. The opposite is true for individuals with a low level of confidence. Interestingly, social stereotypes can affect a person’s view of self efficacy; for example, negative stereotypes decrease self efficacy (Rodin & Langer, 1980). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== The Risks of Stereotypes ==== | ||
| + | One of the major reasons for relocation in the aged is a change in health status (Stoeckel & Porell, 2010). With old age, health often becomes less predictable and can produce rapid declines in autonomy. Personal experiences are often defined in terms of common stereotypes when a decrease in autonomy occurs (Rodin & Langer, 1980; Schulz & Hanusa, 1980). The current stereotypes associated with old age tend to be negative and, therefore, place a greater emphasis on decline than actually exists (Rodin & Langer, 1980). The negative nature of these stereotypes serves as a means to lower an individual’s self efficacy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Stereotype Threat and the Effects of Labeling ==== | ||
| + | Research has shown that the aged tend to be placed in situations resulting in something called ‘stereotype threat’ (Rodin & Langer, 1980). Stereotype threat is when anxiety is experienced when placed into a situation where a stereotype can be confirmed. When put into situations where there is potential to confirm people’s expectations, they are more likely to attribute any failure to the stereotype. When discussing the old age stereotype of senility, Rodin and Langer (1980) believe “(e)very time a mistake is made or a thought is forgotten, older people may question whether their mental capacities are diminishing” (p. 15). Therefore idea of labeling an individual also changes the way they are likely to perceive their successes or failures resulting in an internalization of the stereotype (Rodin, 1986). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== How to Prevent Stereotype from influencing Self-Efficacy ==== | ||
| + | Fortunately, the process that is used to attribute success or failures can be altered by changing the way how an aged person looks at a situation. Rodin and Langer (1980) conducted an experiment in which new nursing home residents were told that the declines they were experiencing were a direct result of “age-environment interaction” problems. Essentially, the residents were given another means of explaining the reason for how they were feeling and performing. The experiment found that this group showed a “greatly improved behavior, including an increase in active participation and sociability” (p. 24). | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Perceived Control === | ||
| + | Perceived control is the degree to which an individual feels they are responsible for factors surrounding them. (ref) When it comes to the aged, perceived control plays a large role in day to day life which can be influenced by the possibility of major life changes in health and living arrangements. According to Schulz and Hanusa (1980) perceived control is one of the “critical determinants of the aged’s physical and psychological well-being” (p. 31). | ||
Revision as of 12:58, 30 October 2011
Contents |
Importance of Self-Efficacy and Perceived Control in Relocation of the Aged
Perceptions of control are important predictors of behavior and social behaviour (Smith et al., 2000). This is no difference in the aged. When moving an aging relative into a more care intensive environment, such as a Nursing home or long term care facility, the issues of self efficacy and perceived control are particularly important factors in both preparing and facilitating the transition.
Self-Efficacy
Self efficacy is an individual’s belief in how well they can perform a specific task (Rodgers, Conner, & Murray, 2008). If an individual is confident, it can improve their ability to complete the task. The opposite is true for individuals with a low level of confidence. Interestingly, social stereotypes can affect a person’s view of self efficacy; for example, negative stereotypes decrease self efficacy (Rodin & Langer, 1980).
The Risks of Stereotypes
One of the major reasons for relocation in the aged is a change in health status (Stoeckel & Porell, 2010). With old age, health often becomes less predictable and can produce rapid declines in autonomy. Personal experiences are often defined in terms of common stereotypes when a decrease in autonomy occurs (Rodin & Langer, 1980; Schulz & Hanusa, 1980). The current stereotypes associated with old age tend to be negative and, therefore, place a greater emphasis on decline than actually exists (Rodin & Langer, 1980). The negative nature of these stereotypes serves as a means to lower an individual’s self efficacy.
Stereotype Threat and the Effects of Labeling
Research has shown that the aged tend to be placed in situations resulting in something called ‘stereotype threat’ (Rodin & Langer, 1980). Stereotype threat is when anxiety is experienced when placed into a situation where a stereotype can be confirmed. When put into situations where there is potential to confirm people’s expectations, they are more likely to attribute any failure to the stereotype. When discussing the old age stereotype of senility, Rodin and Langer (1980) believe “(e)very time a mistake is made or a thought is forgotten, older people may question whether their mental capacities are diminishing” (p. 15). Therefore idea of labeling an individual also changes the way they are likely to perceive their successes or failures resulting in an internalization of the stereotype (Rodin, 1986).
How to Prevent Stereotype from influencing Self-Efficacy
Fortunately, the process that is used to attribute success or failures can be altered by changing the way how an aged person looks at a situation. Rodin and Langer (1980) conducted an experiment in which new nursing home residents were told that the declines they were experiencing were a direct result of “age-environment interaction” problems. Essentially, the residents were given another means of explaining the reason for how they were feeling and performing. The experiment found that this group showed a “greatly improved behavior, including an increase in active participation and sociability” (p. 24).
Perceived Control
Perceived control is the degree to which an individual feels they are responsible for factors surrounding them. (ref) When it comes to the aged, perceived control plays a large role in day to day life which can be influenced by the possibility of major life changes in health and living arrangements. According to Schulz and Hanusa (1980) perceived control is one of the “critical determinants of the aged’s physical and psychological well-being” (p. 31).
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