Preferred health behaviors and quality of life of the elderly people in Poland.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess possible differences between a group of residents of public nursing homes (PNH) and a group of members of Universities of the Third Age (UTA) measured using standard psychometric scales.


METHODS
The research was conducted between January 3, 2013 and February 15, 2014 on a group of 200 residents of PNH and 200 members of the UTA using five psychometric scales: Standardized Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Standardized Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), Standardized Social Support Scale (SSS), Standardized General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES), and Standardized Multiple Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC).


RESULTS
The average point total in the Standardized Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in the group of residents of PNH was 18.03 (Me =19) and was significantly higher (P=0.047) in comparison with the group of UTA members (17.08). Similar to residents of PNH, a vast majority of UTA members assessed the support received from the UTA as good, which significantly influenced their satisfaction from life (P=0.028) and their feeling of self-efficacy (P=0.048). An observed dependence states that the greater the level of satisfaction from life, the greater the level of various types of support from family.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that biopsychosocial problems decrease quality of life in elderly people. The elderly people require a comprehensive, holistic approach to a variety of problems that occur with aging. In future, extended interdisciplinary research should be carried out on aspects of quality of life in order to optimize comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
Mateusz
M
Cybulski
Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
Elzbieta
E
Krajewska-Kulak
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
Jacek
J
Jamiolkowski
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011044:Poland; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
aging; elderly people; health behaviors; quality of life; self-efficacy; social support