Self-Efficacy and Depressive Symptomatology in Older Adults: An Exploratory Study

This exploratory study concerns the relationship between self-efficacy and depressive symptomatology in older adults. Two hundred community-residing older adults were administered the Depression Adjective Checklist and three self-efficacy scales over the telephone. The results suggest a strong relationship between general, physical, and global self-efficacy and depression. Finally, physical and general self-efficacy were identified as the strongest predictors of depression. Implications of self-efficacy theory in relation to depressive symptoms as well as suggested practice implications are presented.