Assessing the Impact of Community Health Coaching on Self-Management of Chronic Illness Among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Approach.

Background: Chronic illnesses among older adults require effective self-management strategies. Community health coaching, which provides personalized guidance and support, has shown promise in improving self-management behaviors and patient activation. This study examines the impact of health coaching on self-management among older adults and investigates the mediating role of patient activation.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 older adults with chronic illnesses attending primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), Self-Management Behavior Scale (SMBS), and Health Coaching Perception Questionnaire (HCPQ). Multiple regression and mediation analyses were conducted to assess the relationships between health coaching, patient activation, and self-management behaviors.

Results: Health coaching was significantly associated with improved self-management behaviors (β = 0.42, p < 0.001). Higher satisfaction with coaching was related to better medication adherence and dietary modification. Patient activation partially mediated the relationship between health coaching and self-management, with an indirect effect coefficient of 0.22 (p < 0.01). The results highlight the role of activation in enhancing health coaching effectiveness.

Conclusion: Community health coaching positively influences self-management behaviors in older adults, with patient activation serving as a critical mediator. Integrating health coaching into primary care could improve chronic illness management and support healthy aging.