title: A multidimensional model of the quality of life in older age.
abstract: The broad aim of the research presented here was to define the constituents and indicators of quality of life (QoL) in older age, in order to offer a more multidimensional and useful model of quality of life, based on the perspectives of older people themselves. This paper focuses on the extent to which self-evaluations of global QoL are influenced by health, psychological and social variables, and social circumstances. It reports the results of a national survey of the quality of life in people aged 65 and over, living at home in Britain. Multiple regression analysis with the self-evaluation of quality of life rating as the dependent variable showed that the overall model (Model 9) of QoL indicators explained 26.7% of the variance in quality of life ratings. This is sizeable given the amorphous nature of this concept. The main independent predictors of self-rated global quality of life were: social comparisons and expectations, personality and psychological characteristics (optimism-pessimism), health and functional status and personal and neighbourhood social capital. These variables explained the highest proportion of the variance between groups in their quality of life ratings. Socio-economic indicators contributed relatively little to the model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University College London, UK. a.bowling@pcps.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bowling
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Banister
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Windsor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support