title: Real-world problem solving and quality of life in older people.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined relationships between quality of life (QoL) in older people and cognitive functioning in both abstract and real-world problem solving.
  
  
  METHODS
  Contributions of levels of mental, physical and social activities, self-rated and objective health status, self-rated cognitive functioning, socio-economic status, gender, real-world and abstract problem solving were examined in a regression study of factors related to QoL in older people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N=145) were 70-91 years of age. The current cognitive functioning was assessed by psychometric tests and real-world problem-solving tasks. Prior functioning was indexed by crystallized ability measures. QoL was assessed using the Leiden-Padua questionnaire (LEIPAD), Faces scales and Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale. A single QoL factor was derived.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simultaneous multiple regressions indicated that QoL was related to real-world but not to abstract problem-solving ability. Separate contributions to QoL were also found for health and self-rated cognitive functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study replicates previous findings that abstract problem-solving ability is not related to QoL and supports the hypothesis that real-world or everyday problem-solving ability is associated with QoL in older people.
authors.affiliation: Brunel University, UK.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gilhooly
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Gilhooly
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanlon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D006113:United Kingdom