Objective:

Identify the level of perceived self-efficacy and its relationship with biodemographic and psychosocial variables in older adults.

Material and method:

Descriptive correlational design, stratified random sampling, of 754 older adults registered in health centers of Antofagasta, Chile.

Measurements

: sociodemographic background, health status, perceived self-efficacy; Functional Test of the Elderly (part B); Quality of life related to health, measured with the SF-12 and Fragility Questionnaire.

Results:

61.4% of participants were women and 38.6% were men; the ages ranged between 65 and 90 years, with an average of 73 years (SD = 6.0); 78.9% declared between two and six years of schooling. The morbid antecedents most frequently presented were: Arterial Hypertension, Dyslipidemia and Diabetes Mellitus. 86.3% did not present depression. Self-rated health rated "excellent to good" reached over 60%. Self-efficacy was perceived as high by 68.3% of participants. A 55.6% was satisfied with their quality of life in relation to global health. Fragility levels reached 73.5%. 59.3% of older adults were classified as self-reliant without risk. Statistically significant differences were found between the categories of self-efficacy and fear of falling, nutritional status, depression, quality of life related to health and self-perception of health.

Conclusion:

A high perceived self-efficacy was identified and related, both in biodemographic and psychosocial variables, which could be a facilitating factor to promote active aging.

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