Objective:To investigate the current situation and influencing factors of the cognition of self-supporting for the elderly in nursing institutions, in order to provide a reference basis for constructing an intervention system of self-supporting in nursing institutions and implementing self-supporting more effectively.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. From April to August 2023, 320 elderly people from 7 elderly care institutions in Changsha City were selected by convenience sampling method, and the general information questionnaire, the Barthel Index Scale, the Comprehension Social Support Scale, and the self-developed questionnaire on knowledge belief, and practice of self-supporting for the elderly in nursing institutions were used to investigate. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the factors influencing self-supporting for older people in nursing facilities.Results:Totally 315 valid questionnaires were recovered including 95 males and 220 females, with the majority aged 80-89 years, being 159. The surveyed elderly people in nursing institutions scored (91.24 ± 11.92) points on the self-supporting knowledge questionnaire, and the mean score of the entries was (3.51 ± 0.46) points. The results of multiple linear regression showed that the total scores of activity frequency, the Barthel index of activities daily living and perceived social support were the main factors affecting self-supporting ( t = 5.02, - 6.67, 9.48, all P<0.05), which could explain 51.8% of the total variation. Conclusions:The self-supporting of the elderly in nursing institutions is at a high level, and relevant personnel can better exert the subjective initiative of the elderly in nursing institutions by publicizing and educating the elderly on self-supporting, organizing regular activities and strengthening social support construction.