Final answer:
Less than half of older adults reported a high level of self-efficacy in the domain of health, with only 41.6 percent assessing their health status as "excellent" or "very good" compared to a younger demographic.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the federal Administration on Aging, in 2009, less than half of older adults reported having a high level of self-efficacy in the domain of health. The study found that only 41.6 percent of people over sixty-five assessed their health as "excellent" or "very good," which was significantly lower than the 64.4 percent reported by those aged eighteen to sixty-four. Self-efficacy, as defined by Albert Bandura, is an individual's belief in their own capability to complete tasks and achieve goals. It is evident that a lower percentage of older adults feel a strong sense of self-efficacy regarding their health, which is an essential aspect of overall well-being and quality of life.
Furthermore, it is argued that an individual's sense of self-efficacy is pivotal in motivating behavior and fostering the resilience needed to face challenges and recover from setbacks. This understanding of self-efficacy is critical in addressing the needs of older adults and implementing interventions that can enhance their beliefs in their capabilities, especially concerning health management and disease prevention.