Adaptive behavior in older adults according to age and schooling.

Adaptability is an important aspect of human behavior that determines the successful accomplishment of a task. The objective to study was to compare the patterns of adaptive behavior (AB) in older adults of both sexes according to age range and schooling. A cross-sectional descriptive (comparative) study was designed on 65 older adults (30 males and 35 females) of the Maule region (Chile). The sample was non-probabilistic. The age range was 70 to 85 years. Weight and height were evaluated and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. A scale of self-perception of AB in older adults was applied. BMI in males was 29.5±3.9kg/m2 and in females was 28.4±5.0kg/m2. The AB values in males were 150.0±13.0 points and in females 57.0±15.0 points (p<0.05). The values of AB by schooling were: In males: High School Education 142.3± 11.5 points and Secondary Education 151.6± 14.6 points (p<0.05). In females: High School 149.6± 15.2 points and Secondary Education 159.8± 15.1 points (p<0.05). This study found that females performed better in AB, specifically in self-care, home life, self-direction, and socialization than their male counterparts; in addition, older adults of both sexes with higher education had better scores in AB than those with secondary education.