Abstract
The goal of the study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and depression and provide further insights into the relationship between QOL and depression among community-dwelling elderly Chinese people. Baseline data were collected from 1168 older adults (aged ≥ 60) in a large, prospective cohort study on measurement and evaluation of health-promoting and health-protecting behaviors intervention on chronic disease in different community-dwelling age groups. QOL was assessed using the 26-item, World Health Organization Quality of Life, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) and depression was assessed using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The mean WHOQOL-BREF score for all dimensions was approximately 60, with the highest mean value (61.92) observed for social relationships, followed by environment, physical health, and psychological health domains. In this cohort, 26.1% of elderly urban adults met GDS criteria for depression. There were negative correlations between physical health (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.928, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.910–0.946), psychological health (OR = 0.906, 95% CI: 0.879–0.934), environment (OR = 0.966, 95% CI: 0.944–0.989) and depression among elderly people. Those with depression were older, less educated, had a lower monthly income, and were more likely to report insomnia. All WHOQOL-BREF domains, with the exception of the social domain were negatively correlated with depression.
Highlights
With the increased life expectancy for older people, there has been an increased interest in the assessment of quality of life (QOL), and depression in later stages of life [1]
We examined the quality of life, the prevalence of depression and possible influence of demographic variables, and the association between QOL and depression among elderly Chinese people, by sampling a large, community-based, elderly population
The results showed negative correlations between physical health (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.928, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.910–0.946), psychological health (OR = 0.906, 95% CI: 0.879–0.934), environment (OR = 0.966, 95% CI: 0.944–0.989) and depression among elderly people, which were significant after controlling for age, education level, monthly income, and self-reported insomnia
Summary
With the increased life expectancy for older people, there has been an increased interest in the assessment of quality of life (QOL), and depression in later stages of life [1]. Health Organization (WHO) has defined QOL as a person’s perception of his or her life position in the value system and the culture in which they live, and in addition, it is related to one’s life goals, expectations, standards and concerns [2]. The WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) group has developed a brief QOL assessment scale, the World Health Organization Quality of Life, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), which consists of 26 items representing four domains: physical, psychological, social and environmental [3]. Psychometric studies have indicated that the WHOQOL-BREF has cross-cultural validity as a QOL assessment tool [3]. In China, the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF have been tested, and good reliability and validity demonstrated for Chinese people [4]. Public Health 2016, 13, 693; doi:10.3390/ijerph13070693 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
