Self-esteem of elderly patients in geriatric ambulatory / Autoestima de idosos atendidos em ambulatórios de geriatria / La autoestima de los pacientes de edad avanzada en ambulatorio geriátrica

Abstract

Objective: To identify the frequency of self-esteem in elderly patients in two outpatient geriatric and characterize the socio-demographic and morbidity profile of those with low self-esteem. Method: Descriptive study with individuals with over 60 years attended two geriatric clinics -Health Center (CSE) reference in the care of elderly and one (HP) Public Hospital, both located in the southern part of the municipality of São Paulo. Was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of the School of Nursing, University of São Paulo (Protocol No 700/ 2007). Results: Of 665 elderly addressed, 6.2% (41) had low self-esteem (score 0-5), 24.2 % (161) Average self-esteem (score 6-10) and 69.6 % (463) High self-esteem (score 11-15). The average selfesteem displayed by the elderly in both study sites was very close, 11.2 and 11.6 in the CSE HP. Conclusion:The majority of the population had high self-esteem, contrary expected for Brazilian elderly who still experience many losses and theft on the part of society that is still adapting to the aging population. Descriptors: Aged, Geriatric Nursing, Self-concept. RESUMO Objetivo: identificar a frequência de autoestima em idosos atendidos em dois ambulatórios de geriatria e caracterizar o perfil sociodemográfico e de morbidade dos idosos com baixa autoestima. Metodologia: estudo descritivo, realizado com indivíduos com mais de 60 anos atendidos em dois ambulatórios geriátricos: no Centro de Saúde-Escola referência no atendimento de idosos e em um Hospital Público, ambos localizados na zona sul do munícipio de São Paulo. Recebeu aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo (Processo n. 700/2007).Resultados: dos 665 idosos abordados, 6,2% (41) apresentaram baixa autoestima (escore de 0 a 5), 24,2% (161) média autoestima (escore de 6 a 10) e 69,6% (463) alta autoestima (escore de 11 a 15). A média de autoestima apresentada pelos idosos em ambos os locais de estudo foi muito próxima, 11,2 no primeiro ambulatório e 11,6 no segundo.Conclusão: a maioria da população apresentou autoestima elevada, contrariando o esperado para os idosos brasileiros, os quais vivenciam muitas perdas e espoliação por parte da sociedade, que ainda está se adequando para o envelhecimento da população. Descritores: Idoso, Enfermagem Geriátrica, Autoimagem. RESUMÉN Objetivo: Identificar la frecuencia de la autoestima en los pacientes de edad avanzada en dos clínicas de geriatría y caracterizar la situación socio-demográfica y la morbilidad de las personas mayores con baja autoestima. Método: Estudio descriptivo con las personas mayores de 60 años atendidos en dos clínicas geriátricas -Docente de Centros de Salud (CSE) de referencia en el cuidado de ancianos y un hospital público (HP), ambos ubicados en la parte sur del municipio de São Paulo . Fue aprobado por el Comité Ético de Investigación de la Universidad de São Paulo Escuela de Enfermería (caso Nº 700/2007). Resultados: De los 665 ancianos discuten, el 6,2% (41) tenían baja autoestima (puntuaci...

Self-esteem among older adults treated at basic health units and associated factors

“…The present study showed that approximately 64% of older patients had good self-esteem, which corroborates with the research by Cozin et al 18 which indicated that 70% of the Brazilian geriatric patients evaluated by the authors had high self-esteem. This is possibly due to the fact that during the collection period the older adults went alone to the evaluation site by public or private transportation, and some of them still worked, which characterizes their independence.…”

“…According to the authors, this can be explained by the fact that there is a certain period of time (years) until the individual adapts him/herself to the new phase of life. 18,20 Other researchers, however, as in the present study, did not find significant differences related to self-esteem among the different age groups (60-69-yer-old, 70-79-year-old, 80 years old and over). 19 In addition, a population-based study performed in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais showed that the geriatric patients with the worst levels of self-esteem were the older ones.…”

“…10 Considering the demographic variables (sex, marital status, education, monthly income, age group), there was no association with self-esteem in the present study, which corroborates with previous findings regarding monthly income, age group, marital status, and sex. 18,19 However, other studies 10,19 found a significant association between self-esteem and education, that is, older adults with higher education showed higher self-esteem values. According to the authors, the older patients with a higher education level shall have a greater sense of safety and dignity in relation to different social relationships, which may lead to greater self-esteem.…”