[Quality of life of older people living in Antofagasta, Chile].
BACKGROUND
As basic needs of older people are covered, the concern about the determinants of their quality of life becomes preeminent.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between self-reported quality of life and related variables.


METHODS
The Quality of Life Survey for older people developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-Old), the reduced scale of Ryff Psychological Well Being, the Functional Social Support Questionnaire, the SF-12 and GHQ12 general health surveys were applied to 406 older adults aged 71 ± 7 years (83% women), that were members of older people organizations and lived in Antofagasta, Chile.


RESULTS
Older people that perceived themselves as sick had significantly lower quality of life scores. Self-acceptance, social support, autonomy and having a purpose in life also influenced the perception of quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Health issues and the sense of self efficacy are determinants of the quality of life of these older subjects.
Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile. alurzua@ucn.cl
Alfonso
A
Urzúa
Miguel
M
Bravo
Mario
M
Ogalde
Carolina
C
Vargas
D000368:Aged; D002677:Chile; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires