Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the relationship of sociodemographic predictors, morbidities, depression indicative score, as well as the mediating role of religiosity, spirituality and personal beliefs about quality of life. Method: cross-sectional study conducted between March and July 2016, with 613 elderly, applying the instruments; Spirituality, Religiousness and Personal Beliefs of World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, Brief version of World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults. In the data analysis, through Statistical Package for Social Sciences, absolute and relative frequency, measures of central tendency and variability and modeling with structural equations involving exogenous and endogenous latent constructs were used to highlight the mediating role of religiosity, spirituality and beliefs between the indicative of depression and quality of life (p≤0.005). Results: females, 60┤70 years old, married, with 4├7 years of schooling, income of one minimum wage, 6.16±3.70 morbidities and average of 3.84±3.01 for the indicative depression score prevailed. The highest score was for the connection with spiritual being or strength facet, Social Relations domain and Intimacy; Totality and integration facet, the Environment domain and the Death and dying facet had the lowest scores. There was a mediating function of religiosity, spirituality and personal beliefs, between the indicative depression score and the quality of life. Conclusion: it is necessary to invest in the practice of religiosity, spirituality and personal beliefs, as a health strategy, since they have shown an impact on the decrease of depression and a significant increase in quality of life.
Highlights
The significant increase in the elderly worldwide and in Brazil is one of the consequences of decreased fertility rates and increased life expectancy
The highest score for religiosity, spirituality, and personal beliefs was for the Connection with Spiritual Being or Strength facet (17.04±2.86), while the lowest score was for the Totality and Integration facet (15.53±2.62) Table 1
It is seen that this negativity is mediated by religiosity, spirituality and personal beliefs, which, in turn, positively impacts quality of life (QOL)
Summary
The significant increase in the elderly worldwide and in Brazil is one of the consequences of decreased fertility rates and increased life expectancy. Aging is inherent in life, longevity is not always accompanied by quality of life (QOL).[1]. Natural physiological changes, social losses such as retirement, death of family members, lower social support and psychological losses such as memory may compromise QOL.[2]. When aging is accompanied by chronic diseases, such as depression, there is a negative impact on QOL, as well as a greater possibility of premature death among those affected.[1] Knowing and developing strategies that positively reflect the QOL of this population should be a priority in health care and public policy target. It is essential to understand QOL from the perspective of the elderly, as this population has great heterogeneity among themselves due to their own physical, mental, social, psychological and economic conditions
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