{
  "abstract": "Background: Aging is often accompanied by changes in physical health, daily functioning, and emotional well-being. Frailty is one of the most important challenges in later life because it increases older adults’ vulnerability to illness, disability, and loss of independence. However, frailty is not only a physical problem. Older adults who experience weakness and functional limitations may also develop negative expectations about their abilities and experience depressive symptoms. Exploring these psychological factors may help provide a broader understanding of frailty in later life. Aim: This study aimed to assess the interplay between defeatist beliefs and depressive symptoms among older adults as the psychology of frailty in later life. Method: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 300 older adults. Data were obtained using a Demographic and Health-Related Data Structured Interview Schedule, the Defeatist Performance Attitudes Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale and Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe of the Frailty Indicator (SHARE FI). Results: Frailty was highly prevalent among the participants, with 64.7% classified as frail and 30.0% as pre-frail, 5.3%. Defeatist beliefs were also common, with 65.0% reporting high levels with 23.3% moderate levels. Regarding depressive symptoms, 50 % had moderate-to-severe symptoms and 30.0% had mild symptoms. Conclusion: The findings highlight that frailty in later life may extend beyond physical vulnerability and may coexist with negative performance beliefs and depressive symptoms. Recommendations: Paying attention to these psychological factors may help nurses and healthcare professionals identify older adults at greater risk and provide earlier, more comprehensive support.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Lecturer in Gerontological Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing - Mansoura University, Egypt",
    "Lecturer in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Department, Egypt",
    "Professor of Nursing Education, Nursing Administration and community health Department, Al-Rayan National College of Nursing, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia",
    "Lecturer, Gerontological Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhur University, Egypt"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Doaa Mohamed Zein El-Abdeen Mohamed"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Sally Ahmed Mohamed Al-Maghraby"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Azza Fathi Ibrahim Mohamed"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Basma Taher Abd-Elwahab Mohamed Mostafa"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cg6zrcsy4p9w0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.21608/ejhc.2026.533633",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "cg6zrcsy4p9w0",
  "issns": [
    "3009-6766",
    "1687-9546"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2026.533633",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "RT1-120"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3206|Aging and Gerontology Research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7222894077",
  "pdf_url": "https://ejhc.journals.ekb.eg/article_533633_5f400d5523c0c34cfcec272244405d72.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-30",
  "publisher": "Ain Shams University, Faculty of Nursing",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cg6zrcsy4p9w0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:45:04Z",
      "native_id": "2bc105637f474e28ae09e04f9d809212",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2026.533633"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:3206|Aging and Gerontology Research",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    }
  ],
  "title": "The Interplay Between Defeatist Beliefs and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: The Psychology of Frailty in Later Life",
  "title_text": "The Interplay Between Defeatist Beliefs and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: The Psychology of Frailty in Later Life",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T13:45:04Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cg6zrcsy4p9w0",
  "venue": "Egyptian Journal of Health Care",
  "versions": []
}