Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the features that affect the quality of life (QoL) of older adults and how they are linked to their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and feelings of loneliness.
Design: A random sampling method was employed for this cross-sectional study.
Setting (s): Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran.
Participants: Home-dwelling older adults.
Outcome measures: Data collection tools included the SF-12 QoL, ADL, Loneliness Scale, and demographic information. Relationships between loneliness, ADL, and QoL were examined using a multiple linear regression model by means of the backward method.
Results: On average, the age of the participants was 67.71 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 7.13 years. Of all these older adults, 209 (67%) were aged 60-69 years, 270 (86%) were married, and 155 (49.4%) had elementary education. Mean±SD for the physical and mental components of QoL were obtained at 49.35±9.45 and 48.38±11.65, respectively. Emotional loneliness had a significant reversed association (β=-0.38, P<0.01) with Mental Component Summary (MCS), while social loneliness had a significant positive association (β=0.27, P=0.03) with MCS. Furthermore, dependent ADL had a negative correlation (β=-0.23; P<0.01) with Physical Component Summary (PCS). Moreover, age, gender, and educational status had a statistically significant relationship with QoL.
Conclusions: Given the significant negative impact of loneliness and low ADL scores, it is imperative to develop efficient interventions and modify existing procedures to improve the QoL for older people. Individual-level interventions and societal-level interventions need to be developed and applied among this population. Additionally, national health policymakers may prioritize loneliness as a significant concern for public health.