Abstract
Multimorbidity—the co-occurrence of multiple illnesses—is a frequent condition in older adults and poses serious threats to
autonomy. In order to identify resources for autonomy despite multimorbidity, our longitudinal study tested main and interaction
effects of personal and social resources (self-efficacy and social support) on maintaining autonomy. Three hundred and nine
individuals (aged 65–85 years) with multiple illnesses completed measures of self-efficacy beliefs, received instrumental
social support and perceptions of autonomy. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Cross-sectionally, individuals
with lower perceptions of autonomy received more support from their networks. Longitudinally, the relation of received support
with autonomy was moderated by self-efficacy: Simple slopes analyses showed that social support compensated for lower levels
of self-efficacy, whereas in individuals with higher self-efficacy the resources interfered. Receiving social support bolstered
autonomy in lower self-efficacious individuals, but in highly self-efficacious individuals support threatened autonomy. This
has implications for both theory and practice, as it suggests differential effects of social resources depending on personal
resources.
autonomy. In order to identify resources for autonomy despite multimorbidity, our longitudinal study tested main and interaction
effects of personal and social resources (self-efficacy and social support) on maintaining autonomy. Three hundred and nine
individuals (aged 65–85 years) with multiple illnesses completed measures of self-efficacy beliefs, received instrumental
social support and perceptions of autonomy. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Cross-sectionally, individuals
with lower perceptions of autonomy received more support from their networks. Longitudinally, the relation of received support
with autonomy was moderated by self-efficacy: Simple slopes analyses showed that social support compensated for lower levels
of self-efficacy, whereas in individuals with higher self-efficacy the resources interfered. Receiving social support bolstered
autonomy in lower self-efficacious individuals, but in highly self-efficacious individuals support threatened autonomy. This
has implications for both theory and practice, as it suggests differential effects of social resources depending on personal
resources.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10433-011-0176-6
- Authors
- Lisa M. Warner, Department of Psychology, Health Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Jochen P. Ziegelmann, Department of Psychology, Health Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Benjamin Schüz, German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin, Germany
- Susanne Wurm, German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin, Germany
- Clemens Tesch-Römer, German Centre of Gerontology, Berlin, Germany
- Ralf Schwarzer, Department of Psychology, Health Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Journal European Journal of Ageing
- Online ISSN 1613-9380
- Print ISSN 1613-9372