The link between cognitive state and general self-esteem among institutionalized elderly persons: can health condition serve as a mediating factor?

Abstract

Objective: to assess whether the health condition of an elderly person can serve as a mediating factor between the cognitive state and general self-esteem of the institutionalized elderly. Method: a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was performed, based on the path analysis technique.The following instruments were used for data collection: the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, the Mini Nutritional Evaluation and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: the sample was composed of 312 elderly patients of both genders (112 men and 200 women), with an average age of 83.39 (+7.09) years. Most of the elderly persons were widowed, with a low educational level, and had been institutionalized in Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly for on average 54.6 (+51.69) months. The mediating factor of health condition renders the link between the cognitive state and self-esteem of the elderly null. However, the analysis of the decomposition of the effects showed a significant indirect effect between the cognitive state and health condition. The total effect of cognitive state on the health condition of the elderly is significant, positive and direct. Conclusion: based on the results of this study we maintain that cognitive changes can affect the nutritional state and physical balance of the institutionalized elderly.

Efeitos das vivências em sexualidade na autoestima e na qualidade de vida de pessoas idosas

“…3 Nesse sentido, explorando as características biosociodemográficas, observamos nesse estudo maior prevalência de participantes do sexo masculino (68,2%), com ensino superior completo (37,8%) e da etnia branca (65,5%), conforme Tabela 1. Esses dados divergem de alguns estudos 7,8,15,23 cuja predominância foi de pessoas idosas do sexo feminino, não brancas, com baixa escolaridade e/ou não alfabetizadas.…”

“…Além disso, devido a capacidade da autoestima influenciar os aspectos afetivos, sociais e psicológicos, ela é considerada como um importante indicador de saúde mental. 7 No que concerne à QV, trata-se de um componente subjetivo de bem-estar. 8 A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) a define como "a percepção do indivíduo de sua posição na vida, no contexto da cultura e dos sistemas de valores nos quais ele vive e em relação aos seus objetivos, expectativas, padrões e preocupações".…”