title: Factors associated with quality of life in older adults in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  According to the World Health Organization, quality of life (QOL) includes physical and mental health, emotional well-being, and social functioning. Using an adaptation of Andersen's behavioral model, we examined the associations between the three dimensions of QOL and needs and health behaviors in a nationally representative sample of adults 65 years and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative sample from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used. NHANES over-samples persons 60 years and older, African Americans, and Hispanics. Frequencies and distribution patterns were assessed, followed by bivariate and multiple regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These older adults reported high levels of QOL. However, associations between needs and health behaviors and QOL varied across dimensions. Activities of daily living (ADL) were associated with all three dimensions. Depression was associated with two dimensions and memory problems with one dimension. Physical activity was linked to social functioning, and health care utilization was linked to emotional well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differences in associations with different dimensions of QOL confirm that this is a multidimensional concept. Since depression, memory problems, and ADL function were all associated with some dimension of QOL, future interventions to improve QOL in older adults should include screening and treatment for these problems.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. baernholdt@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baernholdt
authors.forename: Ivora
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hinton
authors.forename: Guofen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattos
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014481:United States