Social Cognitive Theory and Healthy Lifestyle Among Elderly: A Cross-Sectional study

Aims: The elderly population, both globally and in Iran, is on the rise. The well-being of the elderly is a crucial aspect of health. This study aimed to examine the impact of social cognitive determinants on the healthy lifestyle of older adults. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in ۲۰۲۱, involving ۴۵۵ elderly individuals in Rasht City, Guilan province. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle information, and constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory were collected. Findings The majority of participants had an average lifestyle. Among the various components, prevention received the highest score for a healthy lifestyle among the elderly, while physical activity received the lowest score. Among the constructs of the social cognitive theory, outcome expectancies had the highest mean score, while self-efficacy had the lowest mean score. The correlation analysis revealed significant and direct relationships between the constructs of the cognitive theory and healthy lifestyle scores among the elderly. The findings from the model demonstrated that awareness, self-regulation, social support, and outcome expectations significantly predict lifestyle behavior. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the Social Cognitive Theory holds predictive value for understanding the lifestyle of older adults. It is recommended that educational programs on healthy aging prioritize increasing awareness, promoting self-regulation, providing social support, and enhancing outcome expectancies to foster positive lifestyle choices among older individuals.

Keywords:

Lifestyle Program , Elderly , Social Cognitive Theory