Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to successfully perform a task or influence an outcome. It is a key component of perceived control and is often used interchangeably with related terms like mastery, locus of control, and causal agency, though each term captures unique aspects of perceived control. Self-efficacy can vary across different contexts and behaviors for an individual. Research indicates that self-efficacy tends to be lower in older adults compared to younger and middle-aged adults, though changes over time may vary by domain. For example, domains such as productivity, safety, and financial self-efficacy may decline over time, while others like health, family, and living arrangements remain stable. Self-efficacy is strongly associated with health behaviors, including physical activity, diet, and healthcare utilization. Higher self-efficacy is linked to greater engagement in positive health behaviors. In older adults, higher self-efficacy is associated with increased participation in physical activity. Self-efficacy also plays a crucial role in symptom and disease management, with higher levels linked to better medication adherence and self-management of chronic diseases. Interventions to improve self-efficacy have shown benefits in managing conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Self-efficacy is directly and indirectly associated with better health outcomes, including quality of life, depressive symptoms, and functional status. Lower self-efficacy is linked to higher risks of hospitalization and mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Additionally, self-efficacy is a strong mediator in the relationship between vision impairment and life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Future research should explore how self-efficacy changes over time and age, particularly in advanced age, and how these changes influence health. Longitudinal studies using panel data can provide insights into age-specific trajectories of self-efficacy across different demographic factors. Understanding these relationships could lead to more effective interventions to improve health outcomes in older adults.Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to successfully perform a task or influence an outcome. It is a key component of perceived control and is often used interchangeably with related terms like mastery, locus of control, and causal agency, though each term captures unique aspects of perceived control. Self-efficacy can vary across different contexts and behaviors for an individual. Research indicates that self-efficacy tends to be lower in older adults compared to younger and middle-aged adults, though changes over time may vary by domain. For example, domains such as productivity, safety, and financial self-efficacy may decline over time, while others like health, family, and living arrangements remain stable. Self-efficacy is strongly associated with health behaviors, including physical activity, diet, and healthcare utilization. Higher self-efficacy is linked to greater engagement in positive health behaviors. In older adults, higher self-efficacy is associated with increased participation in physical activity. Self-efficacy also plays a crucial role in symptom and disease management, with higher levels linked to better medication adherence and self-management of chronic diseases. Interventions to improve self-efficacy have shown benefits in managing conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Self-efficacy is directly and indirectly associated with better health outcomes, including quality of life, depressive symptoms, and functional status. Lower self-efficacy is linked to higher risks of hospitalization and mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Additionally, self-efficacy is a strong mediator in the relationship between vision impairment and life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Future research should explore how self-efficacy changes over time and age, particularly in advanced age, and how these changes influence health. Longitudinal studies using panel data can provide insights into age-specific trajectories of self-efficacy across different demographic factors. Understanding these relationships could lead to more effective interventions to improve health outcomes in older adults.