Psychosocial factors as predictors of quality of life among the elderly in a South Western Teaching Hospital Nigeria

Abstract

Among the elderly, more concerns have been raised about quality of life and its markers especially due to the incessant rise in hospitalization and  admission of old people into the geriatric wards. Scholars have suggested that empirical efforts be geared towards identifying relevant psychological  factors which may account for differences in quality of life among the elderly. Consequently, this study investigated the predictive role of psychosocial  factors of stress, anxiety, depression, social support, and meaning in life on quality of life among the elderly. The study employed cross sectional survey  research design and used structured questionnaire to collect data from 96 elderly persons whose mean age and standard deviation were 68.55 and 8.06  respectively. Result revealed that stress, depression and anxiety predict quality of life among the elderly [F (1,98) =10.684; P <.001]. Importantly, anxiety  and depression were significant factors that contributed to quality of life among the elderly. Social support (family, friends and significant others) and  meaning in life predicted quality of life [F (1,98) =9.609; P <.001]. However, only significant others social support independently accounted for variation in  quality of life among the elderly. Study findings have implications for clinical care and management of the elderly.