Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine relationships between Perceived Enactment of Autonomy (PEA) and selected self-care resources in older adults residing in senior apartments. Significance: The majority of older adults live in the community and a growing number of them live in community-based congregate housing in the form of senior apartments. However, there is a dearth of research with that population. A better understanding of factors influencing senior apartment residents’ abilities to self-direct their lives and care for themselves is needed as a basis for planning health promotion interventions. Theoretical Framework: A midrange theory of self-care (Erickson, Tomlin, & Swain, 1988) guided the study. Within this theory, PEA represents the potential for self-care action. PEA is the perception of caring for oneself by mobilizing available resources and making choices based on personal needs, goals, and values. Persons can perceive a high level of autonomy even when they choose to depend on others. Participants: A convenience sample of 158 adults with a mean age of 79.7 years (SD=7.4, range=60 – 95) was recruited from 14 senior apartment buildings in Illinois. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used in this study. Participants completed five written questionnaires, which measured PEA, social support, psychosocial developmental residuals, perceived health, and selected demographic variables. Three hypotheses were tested and focused on relationships between PEA and (a) social support, (b) psychosocial developmental residuals, and (c) perceived health. Results: Significant correlations were found between PEA and: (a) social support (r=.182, p=.05) and (b) psychosocial developmental residuals (r=.566, p=.01). Surprisingly, PEA and perceived health were not related, r=.06. Conclusions: Implications for theory development, future studies, the development of autonomy-supportive health promotion interventions, and health policy will be discussed.
The John A. Hartford Foundation Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Scholars program funded this study.
Session #1115 - Environmental Supports for Aging
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)