Caorong Laarni A
College of Health Sciences, Mindanao State University - Marawi, Philippines.
Belitung Nurs J. 2021 Jun 28;7(3):151-162. doi: 10.33546/bnj.1412. eCollection 2021.
Self-control is associated with multiple positive outcomes. There are several studies on self-control, yet no literature describing the mechanism of self-control in old age.
This study aims to develop a substantive theory on the exercise of self-control in old age.
Grounded Theory methodology developed by Glaser & Strauss was utilized in the conduct of this study with ten (10) older adults as participants following the set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Individual in-depth interviews of 30-45 minutes were observed to gather the needed verbatim narrative responses from each participant after careful consideration of the ethical procedures approved by the University research ethics board. Major themes with their respective sub-themes were generated after rigorous analysis of the participants' responses following the steps provided by Glasser & Strauss in conducting grounded theory studies.
This study resulted in the formulation of three propositions such as: (1) Older adults exercise self-control differently, (2) several personal motivations are involved in the exercise of self-control, and (3) the exercise of self-control leads to life satisfaction. From the propositions emerged the Theory of Self-control in Old age, which states that the process of self-control encompasses the human capability of exercising self-restraint to overrun different types of desires, passions, and temptations. The theory posits that older adults vary in their exercise of self-control depending upon their personal motivations. The theory also assumes that the exercise of self-control results in life satisfaction as displaying self-control is attributed to a host of positive life outcomes.
The present study has important implications in the field of gerontology and health care services since the older population is growing, and so does the demand for health care services. The need to understand the choices and decisions of older adult clients is fundamental in individualizing the health care services that may be designed and provided for them.
自我控制与多种积极结果相关。关于自我控制已有多项研究，但尚无文献描述老年期自我控制的机制。
本研究旨在构建关于老年期自我控制运用的实质性理论。
采用格拉斯和施特劳斯开发的扎根理论方法进行本研究，按照纳入和排除标准选取了10名老年人作为参与者。在仔细考虑大学研究伦理委员会批准的伦理程序后，对每位参与者进行了30 - 45分钟的个人深度访谈，以收集所需的逐字叙述性回答。按照格拉斯和施特劳斯在进行扎根理论研究时提供的步骤，对参与者的回答进行严格分析后，得出了主要主题及其各自的子主题。
本研究得出了三个命题，即：（1）老年人自我控制的方式不同；（2）自我控制的运用涉及多种个人动机；（3）自我控制的运用会带来生活满意度。从这些命题中产生了老年期自我控制理论，该理论指出，自我控制的过程包括人类运用自我约束来克服不同类型欲望、激情和诱惑的能力。该理论认为，老年人自我控制的运用因个人动机而异。该理论还假定，自我控制的运用会导致生活满意度，因为表现出自我控制归因于一系列积极的生活结果。
本研究在老年学和医疗保健服务领域具有重要意义，因为老年人口在增长，对医疗保健服务的需求也在增加。了解老年客户的选择和决策对于为他们设计和提供个性化的医疗保健服务至关重要。
