Identifying variables in relation to health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older women: Knowledgebase for health-promoting activities

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated variables among all community-dwelling older women (565 years) (n ¼ 2724) on Å land, a Finnish self-governing island community. A total of 1023 women participated (mean age 72.9 AE 6.8 years). Absence of depression, absence of diagnosed disease(s), having the opportunity to engage in meaningful leisure activities, and never or seldom feeling lonely explained, together with socioeconomic control variables (i.e. age, education and economic situation), 34.4% of the variation in physical health. Absence of depression, strong inner strength, and never or seldom feeling lonely explained, together with socioeconomic control variables, 27.7% of the variation in mental health. HRQoL was rated as relatively good, although special attention should be paid to women aged 80þyears. To promote HRQoL, interventions aimed at preventing, detecting and treating depression should be prioritised. In addition, interventions aimed at reducing feelings of loneliness are also recommended in order to enhance overall HRQoL.

Inner strength and its relationship to health threats in ageing—A cross‐sectional study among community‐dwelling older women

“…Obviously, feeling lonely or expressing symptoms of depressive disorders is not per se the same as mental ill health. However, it is known that symptoms of depressive disorders, depression and loneliness are strongly associated with poor health and well-being and with each other (Bergdahl, Allard, Lundman, & Gustafson, 2007;Boman et al, 2015a;Cacioppo, Huges, Waite, Hawkley, & Thisted, 2006;Dahlberg, Andersson, McKee, & Lennartsson, 2015). Depression has also previously shown associations with weak inner strength (Boman et al, 2014;Viglund et al, 2014) Hildon, & Blane, 2008;Windle, Markland, & Woods, 2008).…”

“…It is further indicated that inner strength partially mediates the relationship between disease and self‐rated health; more inner strength is associated with better self‐rated health (Viglund et al., ). In another study including only older women, strong inner strength is associated with better mental health, but not physical health (Boman, Häggblom, Lundman, Nygren, & Fischer, ). Furthermore, strong inner strength among older women is related to reduced prevalence of depression (Boman, Gustafson, Häggblom, Santamäki Fischer, & Nygren, ).…”

Use of the model of Inner Strength for analysing reflective interviews in a group of healthy middle-aged adults

“…Quantitative studies have shown that a higher degree of IS was associated with better health among older individuals, and that IS partly mediated the relationship between having a disease and self-rated health. 12,13 IS was positively related to physical and mental health, 14 to lack of signs of depression among older women, 15 and to physical and mental health among older individuals with chronic illnesses. 16…”

“…Based on the MIS, we developed the Inner Strength Scale (ISS), 21 which has hitherto been used in studies among older adults. 12–15 The model has also been used as a theoretical framework in studies with a qualitative design. 7,22 In a study with a deductive approach among older women, IS was described as ‘It is all up to you’, ‘Strive to be in communion’, ‘Make the best of the situation’, and ‘A balancing act’.…”

Effects and meanings of a person-centred and health-promoting intervention in home care services - a study protocol of a non-randomised controlled trial

“…Furthermore, it has also been found that quality of care is related to QoL among older people receiving HCS [ 23 ]. Low QoL has been found to be associated with reduced ADL function, depression, loneliness, not being engaged in meaningful activities [ 6 , 24 , 25 ], social isolation [ 24 , 26 ] and pain [ 6 ]. However, it has also been shown that high quality care can compensate for the deficiencies mentioned above and result in an improved QoL [ 23 , 27 ].…”