Abstract:

Objective To investigate the relationship between oral frailty and oral health-related self-efficacy in the elderly，as well as the mediating role of social support，aiming to provide a reference for clinical workers to develop safe and effective interventions. Methods Convenience sampling was employed from December 2024 to June 2025，using a combination of online and offline methods to select elderly individuals from communities in Guangzhou，Jingzhou，and Tianmen as study participants. Data was collected using a general information questionnaire，the Chinese version of the Oral Frailty Screening Tool for Older Adults，the Chinese version of the Oral Health-Related Self-Efficacy Scale for Older Adults，and the Social Support Rating Scale. The mediating effect of social support between oral frailty and oral health-related self-efficacy was examined using structural equation modeling. Results A total of 350 questionnaires were collected，of which 331 were valid，giving a valid response rate of 94.57%. The oral frailty score for the elderly population was （4.52±1.86）；the oral health-related self-efficacy score was （51.40±11.84）；the social support score was （39.92±10.46）. Social support partially mediated the relationship between oral frailty and oral health-related self-efficacy，with a mediating effect of 28.97%. Conclusion The incidence of oral frailty in the elderly is high. Social support is a mediating variable between oral frailty and oral health-related self-efficacy. Nursing staff and community managers should pay close attention to the social status of the elderly and actively encourage them to participate in social activities to improve their self-efficacy and，consequently，improve their oral health.

Key words: Aged, Oral Frailty, Oral Health-Related Self-Efficacy, Social Support, Mediating Effect, Community Nursing

摘要：

目的 探讨社区老年人口腔衰弱与口腔健康自我效能的关系，以及社会支持的中介作用，旨在为临床医护人员制订干预措施提供参考。方法 采用便利抽样法，于2024年12月—2025年6月，通过线上和线下相结合的方法选取广州市、荆州市、天门市的社区老年人作为调查对象，采用一般资料调查表、中文版老年人口腔衰弱筛查量表、中文版老年人口腔健康相关自我效能量表及社会支持评定量表进行调查。采用结构方程模型检验社会支持在口腔衰弱与口腔健康自我效能间的中介效应。结果 共回收问卷350份，其中有效问卷331份，有效问卷回收率为94.57%。社区老年人口腔衰弱得分为（4.52±1.86）分；口腔健康自我效能得分为（51.40±11.84）分；社会支持得分为（39.92±10.46）分。社会支持在社区老年人口腔衰弱与口腔健康自我效能间起部分中介作用，中介效应值为28.97%。结论 社会支持是社区老年人口腔衰弱与口腔健康自我效能的中介变量，护理工作者和社区管理者应密切关注社区老年人的社交状况，积极鼓励其参与社交活动，以提升其自我效能感，进而改善口腔健康状况。

关键词: 老年人, 口腔衰弱, 口腔健康相关自我效能, 社会支持, 中介效应, 社区护理