To classify the general self-efficacy of patients with chronic comorbidities by using latent class analysis, thereby to analyze the influencing factors which affect the general self-efficacy of middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic disease comorbidities based on the results of category analysis, and to provide references for improving the mental health in the multi-dimensional health of the elderly in China and realizing “healthy aging”.

Based on the Ningxia Natural Science Foundation project in 2023, a multi-level stratified random sampling method was adopted to screen out 967 comorbidity patients. Latent class analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the current situation and influencing factors of the general self-efficacy of patients with chronic comorbidities in Ningxia.

Among the 967 study subjects, the diseases with the highest prevalence rates among patients with comorbidities were hypertension, musculoskeletal disorders, and diabetes. The latent class analysis revealed that 402 individuals had low general self-efficacy, 161 had high general self-efficacy, and 403 had moderate general self-efficacy.The C2 “High Self-Efficacy Group” consisted of individuals aged 45 to 59 years (with OR values and 95% CI intervals being 0.374, 0.188; 0.208-0.671; 0.085-0.418), had lower educational levels (with OR values and 95% CI intervals being 0.192, 0.157; 0.041-0.893; 0.011-0.297), and those who received some financial support from their children (with OR values and 95% CI intervals being 0.491, 0.340; 0.328-0.736; 0.209-0.553) generally had lower general self-efficacy (all OR values <1). Among the middle-aged and elderly with two chronic diseases in their comorbidity status, those from C2 “High Self-Efficacy Group” had higher general self-efficacy (with OR values being 6.709, 3.303, both >1, and 95% CI intervals being 4.397-10.138; 2.468-4.421). In addition to the above factors, middle-aged and elderly living in rural areas (with an OR value of 0.616 and a 95% CI range of 0.402-0.944) in C1 “Moderate Self-Efficacy Group” generally had lower general self-efficacy, while those who occasionally Participated in activities from C2 “High Self-Efficacy Group” generally had lower general self-efficacy (with an OR value of 0.377 and a 95% CI range of 0.191-0.744).

In Ningxia, there are more middle-aged and elderly with moderate to low general self-efficacy. Age, educational level, residence,Participation in activities, financial support from children, and comorbidity status all affect the general self-efficacy of middle-aged and elderly in Ningxia. It is recommended to improve the elderly health service system in rural areas, establish elderly activity centers, encourage older people to Participate in more activities, form good exercise habits, and focus on rural Patients with lower educational levels. A series of health activities should be carried out in combination with the characteristics of comorbidities such as hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, etc., to helppatients manage with a positive attitude.