The Effect of Older Adults' Hopelessness Levels on Chronic Disease Self-Management

Öz

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between levels of hopelessness and self-management of chronic diseases in older adults with chronic diseases who apply to a university hospital. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included 150 older adults who visited the outpatient clinic between December 2024 and May 2025 for chronic disease follow-up. Data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Chronic Disease Self-Management Scale. Parametric tests, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: The older adults participating in the study were 58.0% female, 72% married, with an average age of 70.03±3.94. 62.7% of the participants lived in the provincial center, and 39.3% had a primary school education. Participants' Beck Hopelessness Scale total hopelessness score was 10.69±5.58, Chronic Disease Self-Management Scale subscales; SelfStigmatization subscale 2.22±0.72, Treatment Adherence subscale 3.72±0.87; Coping with Stigma subscale 2.62±0.94, and the average score for the Effectiveness of Health Services subscale was 3.17±1.06. Hopelessness showed negative correlations with health care effectiveness, coping with stigma, and treatment compliance, and a positive correlation with self-stigma (p<0.01). Regression analysis indicated that higher hopelessness scores significantly predicted increased self-stigma (β=0.476, p<0.001), while negatively predicting coping (β=-0.592, p<0.001), health care effectiveness, (β=-0.650, p<0.001), and treatment compliance (β=-0.334, p<0.001). Conclusion: Findings demonstrate a significant association between hopelessness and self-management in older adults with chronic diseases. Reducing hopelessness may improve clinical management and coping with stigma, treatment compliance, and health perceptions, thereby strengthening overall self-management capacities.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• : Chronic diseases
• hopelessness
• older adult
• self-management

Kaynakça

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