Older Male Prisoners: Health Status, Self-Efficacy Beliefs, and Health-Promoting Behaviors

The fastest-growing prison subgroup is men age 50 years and older, of whom 85% have multiple chronic health conditions. This pilot study examined relationships between health status, self-efficacy beliefs, and behaviors through a convenience sample survey of 51 older male prisoners. Inmates with greater self-efficacy (i.e., confidence) in their health self-management abilities were significantly more likely to rate their health as better, engage in more health-promoting behaviors, and report more improved health since incarceration. Findings, which support Bandura's social cognitive theory, highlight the need to develop educational interventions aimed at enhancing older male inmates– health knowledge and self-efficacy for health management to promote greater participation in health-promoting behaviors and better health outcomes.