title: Associations between self-perceived quality of life and socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health variables in a group of elderly.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to investigate: (a) multiple relations between socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health variables and quality of life in the elderly and (b) the model's validity through correlation with depressive symptoms. The sample included 339 elderly individuals from 60 to 98 years of age (M = 73.4; SD = 8.3), who answered a socio-demographic questionnaire, WHOQOL-100, and BDI. Cluster analysis of the sample distributed the elders into two groups according to self-perceived quality of life (better versus worse), and logistic regression analysis identified variables that explained better quality of life. Social class, self-rated health status, volunteer work, use of medication, and data collection setting were associated with quality of life (predictive capacity for correct classification 72.3%, specificity 73.6%, and sensitivity 71.1%). The inverse correlation between the model's variables and BDI scores provided evidence of the model's validity. The model can help support public policies aimed at promoting quality of life in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brasil. sergioeduardos.oliveira@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sérgio Eduardo Silva de
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Von Hohendorff
authors.forename: Juliana de Lima
authors.initials: Jde L
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Denise Ruschel
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bandeira
authors.forename: Sílvia Helena
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Marcelo Pio de Almeida
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.forename: Clarissa Marceli
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Trentini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population