Study on the Mediating Effect of Disease Acceptance on Community Self-efficacy and Social Isolation in Elderly with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract Purpose To investigate the status quo of disease acceptance, community self-efficacy, and social isolation in elderly patients with Parkinson’s Disease; to explore the influencing factors and the correlation among them; and to explore the mediating effect of disease acceptance between community self-efficacy and social isolation in elderly with Parkinson’s Disease. Methods Elderly patients with Parkinson's Disease in the outpatient clinics of two tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province were selected using a general information questionnaire, Lubben Social Network Scale, Community Self-Efficacy Scale, and Disease Acceptance Scale. In total, 157 questionnaires were distributed, 142 of which were valid. Result The average community self-efficacy score of 142 elderly Parkinson’s patients was (11.03 ± 6.21); the average social network score was (13.29 ± 5.4); the average disease acceptance score was (23.56 ± 6.871); community self-efficacy of elderly Parkinson’s patients, social isolation, and disease acceptance (P < 0.01); community self-efficacy was negatively correlated with social isolation (r = 0.621, P < 0.01), community self-efficacy was positively correlated with disease acceptance ( r = 0.471, P < 0.01), disease acceptance was negatively correlated with social isolation (r = 0.387, P < 0.01). After adjusting for covariates, disease acceptance had a partial mediating effect on community self-efficacy and social isolation, with a direct effect size of 83.9% and a mediating effect size of 16.1%. Conclusion Disease acceptance, community self-efficacy, and social isolation in elderly PD patients are correlated. Disease acceptance has a partial mediating effect between community self-efficacy and social isolation in elderly Parkinson's patients. In order to achieve the purpose of helping elderly PD patients control symptoms, delay disease progression, and improve quality of life, they should be encouraged to actively integrate into society, the incidence of social isolation should be reduced, and community self-efficacy should be improved.