The relationship between general self-efficacy and well-being in elderly patients with hypertension: A cross-sectional study

Aging is accompanied by physiological, physical, and psychological changes that lead to an increase in chronic diseases such as hypertension. Measures that enhance self-efficacy contribute to better blood pressure control and may also be related to psychological factors, helping to maintain mental well-being in elderly individuals. Thus, this study aims to determine the relationship between general self-efficacy and subjective well-being in elderly patients with hypertension visiting healthcare centers in Gorgan in 2023. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 on 135 elderly individuals with hypertension referred to healthcare centers in Gorgan. Data on subjective well-being (Keyes) and general self-efficacy were collected using standardized questionnaires (Schwarzer). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16, employing Pearson correlation, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that the mean of subjective well-being was 126.38 (SD=8.29), and for general self-efficacy, it was 25.82 (SD=2.91). There was no significant correlation between subjective well-being and self-efficacy (r= -0.06, P=0.460). However, there was a significant difference between subjective well-being and difficulty accessing medication (P=0.030), indicating that individuals with difficulty accessing medication had higher levels of subjective well-being. Additionally, self-efficacy was significantly related to residence location (P=0.010), with rural residents showing higher self-efficacy. It is recommended that strategies be designed and implemented to enhance subjective well-being and general self-efficacy in elderly patients with hypertension.