The Health Factors Affecting the Longevity of Elderly Living in the Community: Analysis with SOC and QOL

Abstract

Japan has an aging society. Antonovsky has discussed the possibility that humans lead an energy abundant life, and created the sense of coherence (SOC) test, which consist of 29 items. This time, focusing on the elderly living in the community, we examined their SOC and QOL as well as cognitive and behavioral characteristics such as health factors affecting the longevity of elderly living in the community. Using a shorter 13 items SOC test created by Prof. Yamazaki of Tokyo Uni. Using the 40 items QOL test created by Dr. Mandai of Japanese Society of Quality of life Research. Clarification of the behaviors of elderly living in the community and research the correlation between QOL and SOC. The sample consisted of residents who showed minor dementia and could communicate by conversation. Cognitive, behavioral and life characteristics of elderly living in the community were analyzed. We extracted a total of 56 cases, they were females .It was a coefficient alpha of 0.806. This shows significantly higher levels of SOC were seen in subjects in the elderly living in the community. Upon researching the levels of QOL and SOC in the elderly living in the area. It was discovered that subjects with high levels of QOL often showed high levels of SOC. Subject in the elderly living in the community kept high levels of QOL, high ability to deal with stress, high positivity, and high ability to overcome the various difficulties in their lives.