Analysis of Determinants Based on the Health Belief Model: A Study Predicting Cognitive Impairment Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in China

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the predictive value of psychosocial factors and the Health Belief Model (HBM) for cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults, develop a combined prediction model, analyze the mechanistic pathways linking social support, loneliness, and self-efficacy, and evaluate the efficacy of nursing interventions guided by the integrated HBM framework. METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional observational survey enrolled 158 older adults from a community. Participants were categorized into cognitively normal and cognitive impairment groups based on cognitive status. Data collected included demographics, HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy), and psychosocial factors (social support, loneliness). Multivariable logistic regression identified determinants of cognitive impairment. ROC curves assessed the predictive model's performance, and mediation analysis explored pathways through which psychosocial factors and self-efficacy influence cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Multivariable analysis identified age, hypertension, perceived barriers, and loneliness as risk factors for cognitive impairment, while educational attainment, exercise ≥ 3 times/week, self-efficacy, and social support as protective factors (P < 0.05). The combined model demonstrated superior predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.951) to single-factor models. Mediation analysis revealed that social support and loneliness primarily exerted direct effects on cognitive impairment, though the mediating role of self-efficacy did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Social support and self-efficacy are significant protective factors against cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults, whereas loneliness and perceived barriers are risk factors. A prediction model integrating HBM and psychosocial factors enhances early screening efficacy for community-based cognitive impairment. Nursing interventions leveraging the synergistic HBM framework warrant broader community implementation.