Self-efficacy and competence in independent living among oldest old persons.

It was hypothesized that self-efficacy would add significantly to health as a predictor of competence in independent living among oldest old persons. Sixty-seven participants aged 85 and older (15% males, 85% females) were administered measures of health, self-efficacy, psychosocial competence, and competence in activities of daily living (ADL). Self-efficacy contributed, beyond the effects of health, to the prediction of psychosocial competence, but not to competence in ADL. Health status significantly predicted competence in ADL, but not in psychosocial competence.