scholarly journals Quality of life from the perspectives of older people

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZAHAVA GABRIEL ◽  
ANN BOWLING
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Private Households ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
And Control ◽  
Depth Interviews

This paper report results from a national survey of quality of life (QoL), based on 999 people aged 65 or more years living in private households in Britain. The study produced both qualitative and quantitative interview data. The 999 survey respondents were interviewed in their own homes with a semi-structured survey instrument, and 80 were followed-up in greater depth at one and two years after the baseline interview. The material from the in-depth interviews is presented here. The main QoL themes that emerged were: having good social relationships, help and support; living in a home and neighbourhood that is perceived to give pleasure, feels safe, is neighbourly and has access to local facilities and services including transport; engaging in hobbies and leisure activities (solo) as well as maintaining social activities and retaining a role in society; having a positive psychological outlook and acceptance of circumstances which cannot be changed; having good health and mobility; and having enough money to meet basic needs, to participate in society, to enjoy life and to retain one's independence and control over life. The results have implications for public policy, and supplement the growing body of knowledge on the composition and measurement of quality of life in older age.

Whose Quality of Life is it Anyway? Why Not Ask Seniors to Tell US about IT?

2000 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prem S. Fry
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Depth Interviews

Three hundred and thirty-one older adults participated in a study designed to examine their perceptions of what constitutes a reasonable quality of life. Participants responded to an open-ended questionnaire in which they were asked to state their priorities, preferences, aspirations, and concerns about their present and future quality of life. Responses were subjected to a principal components factor analysis which yielded four factors: 1) respondents' demands for specific guarantees; 2) respondents' aspirations and expectations for future quality of life; 3) fears and anxieties; and 4) external factors presenting a threat to quality of life. These factors accounted for 15 percent, 12 percent, 9.2 percent, and 7.1 percent, respectively, of the total variance. Additionally, data obtained from in-depth interviews with thirty-seven older adults were analyzed using a qualitative approach. Contrary to stereotypic notions that elderly persons are frail, vulnerable, and resigned to deteriorating conditions of well-being in late life, the results of both the qualitative and quantitative components of the study showed the majority of respondents as having clear demands for autonomy, control, and independence in making decisions, including the decision to terminate life. Implications are discussed in terms of future research on quality of life of older adults.

An Evaluation of Supportive Housing: Qualitative and Quantitative Perspectives

1993 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice McCarthy ◽  
Geoffrey Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
And Control

This paper reports the findings of an evaluation of supportive housing for people who have been hospitalized in psychiatric facilities. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to inquire into two key processes, social support and control in the residence, and two key outcomes, quality of life and personal growth. Interviews were conducted with 34 residents of small supportive housing programs, and staff of these settings also provided information. While residents were generally pleased with the amount of support and control they had in their residences, there were some areas in which staff exerted unilateral control (i.e., they made decisions without involving residents in the process). With respect to quality of life, residents were satisfied with their housing, but voiced some concerns over a lack of privacy, stigma, and limited opportunities for participation in the community. Residents reported showing personal growth since entering supportive housing in terms of greater independence, more instrumental role involvement, and improved self-esteem and social skills. Staff confirmed these changes. Residents indicated their increased feelings of competence were due to the social support of staff and friends, acceptance by members of their networks and the community at large, and participation in the residence and community activities. The findings expand our understanding of supportive housing in showing that such programs have beneficial effects besides reduced recidivism rates and increased work productivity for residents and in identifying program processes which contribute to residents' increased competence. Moreover, the findings illustrate the value of using qualitative data in program evaluation.

scholarly journals CONCEPCIÓN DE CALIDAD DE VIDA EN LOS ADULTOS MAYORES. CULTURAS CRISTIANA Y MUSULMANA EN CEUTA

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 551
Author(s):  
Raquel Élez-Villarroel Benítez ◽  
Francisco Mateos Claros ◽  
Luis Amador Muñoz ◽  
Macarena Esteban Ibáñez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Calidad De Vida ◽  
The City ◽  
Medios De Comunicacion ◽  
A Current

Abstract.CONCEPTION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS. CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM CULTURES IN CEUTAThe quality of life in older adults is a current line of research due to the population tendency to ageing in the European countries as well as the West Bank countries (Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia). This quality of life may be related to the level of attention and cares we provide to elderly. Our study is focused on the population of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, following this premise. The interviewees answered to different aspects of the quality of life, such as discrimination against older adults, social relationships, leisure activities, sports, housing or health care. The sample was compounded by the most representative cultures in the City, Christians and Muslims. The last ones have proven a very enriched perspective to our study, giving more diverse opinions, such as the respect they feel for their older adults, the vision given by the Arab countries media about the older people, the suffering the elder have been through all along their lives, the perception of needing protection and support by the elders or the beliefs related to the lack of relationships with non-relatives and the lack of leisure activities, as the older adults have their family and they must dedicate to religion. Another contribution of this culture is the rejection to retirement homes, and the fear of ending their lives alone in a nursing home.Key words: quality of life, older adults, old age, cultures, Muslims.Resumen.La calidad de vida en los adultos mayores es una línea de investigación actual, dada la tendencia al envejecimiento de la población de los países europeos y de aquellos de la cuenca del Mediterráneo (Líbano, Siria, Turquía, Túnez). Dicha calidad de vida puede estar relacionada con la atención y el cuidado que proporcionamos a nuestros mayores. Nuestro estudio se ha centrado en la población de la Ciudad Autónoma de Ceuta siguiendo esta premisa. Los entrevistados han respondido a diferentes aspectos de la calidad de vida, como la discriminación hacia los mayores, la sexualidad, la economía, las relaciones sociales, el ocio, el deporte, la vivienda o la salud. La muestra se ha compuesto por las dos culturas más representativas de la Ciudad, cristianos y musulmanes. Estos últimos han mostrado una visión de los adultos mayores muy enriquecedora a nuestro trabajo, proporcionando opiniones de mayor diversidad, tales como el respeto que infunden los mayores en esta cultura, la visión que ofrecen los medios de comunicación en los canales árabes de los adultos mayores, el sufrimiento que han vivido estas personas a lo largo de su vida, la percepción de que sus mayores necesitan la protección y el sustento de la familia o la creencia de que el mayor no requiere de las relaciones sociales ni del disfrute de actividades de ocio por su dedicación a la vida religiosa. Otra aportación de esta cultura es el rechazo de pleno a las instituciones destinadas a los mayores y el miedo a quedarse sin familia en la vejez.Palabras clave: calidad de vida, adultos mayores, vejez, culturas, musulmanes

The views of older Chinese people in Melbourne about their quality of life

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELAINE YUK LIN TSANG ◽  
PRANEE LIAMPUTTONG ◽  
JANE PIERSON
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Depressive Mood ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Chinese People ◽  
Community Group ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Depth Interviews

This paper reports the findings of a study using both quantitative and qualitative approaches of the quality of life of older Chinese people in Melbourne. A total of 60 participants was recruited: 30 were residents of three Chinese hostels and 30 were members of a Chinese welfare society. Along with the established scales of health status, functioning and self-reported life satisfaction, to give a broader perspective the participants were asked about their general health, level of depressive mood and independence. In-depth interviews were conducted with a convenience sub-sample of six informants to explore other important aspects of their quality of life. The hostel group was found to be less healthy, less independent, more depressed and less satisfied with their lives than the community group, but nonetheless were generally satisfied with their lives, as revealed during the in-depth interviews. A good quality of life was found to be associated with good health, independence, secure finance, a meaningful role, strong ethnic community and family support, low expectations, no worries, and a sense of the family's love and respect. The findings reinforce the notion that the quality of life is truly multi-dimensional. They also demonstrate that a high self-rated quality of life in old age is achievable and, indeed, was being enjoyed by most of the participants. The research has made a substantial contribution to understanding the circumstances of Chinese-origin older people in Australia and has useful lessons for studies of other ethnic groups.

Impact of Moderate-to-severe Psoriasis on Quality of Life in China: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Zhong ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Zhuxin Mao ◽  
Xiaoyun Chai ◽  
Shunping Li
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Severe Psoriasis ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract PurposePsoriasis is a serious health problem. Since limited research has investigated the impact of psoriasis on quality of life of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, this study aimed to explore this issue.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted with 22 psoriasis patients from two cities in Shandong province of eastern China participating in one-to-one semi-structured in-depth interviews. ResultsThematic analysis generated four major themes: (1) Impact on physical health; (2) Impact on psychological feelings; (3) Impact on social relationships; (4) Impact on work and profession.ConclusionOur study detailed the effects of psoriasis on patients’ physical health, psychological feelings, social relationships, work and occupation. These data can provide reference for studying the quality of life in patients with psoriasis.

scholarly journals Lay theories of quality of life in older age

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 827-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANN BOWLING ◽  
ZAHAVA GABRIEL
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Measurement Scales

ABSTRACTThis paper presents findings from a national survey of quality of life (QoL) in older age. The main aim of the analyses was to examine the definitions of quality of life given by people aged 65 or more years and the underlying reasons. Open-ended questions were used to elicit their perceptions of QoL. These were followed by structured measures of self-rated QoL overall, and of domains of QoL commonly reported in the literature. The main things said by the respondents to give their lives quality were categorised into ‘themes’. These were: social relationships; social roles and activities; leisure activities enjoyed alone; health; psychological outlook and wellbeing; home and neighbourhood; financial circumstances; and independence. The reasons people gave to explain why these things were important to their QoL focused on: the freedom to do the things they wanted to do without restriction (whether in the home or socially); pleasure, enjoyment and satisfaction with life; mental harmony; social attachment and having access to companionship, intimacy, love, social contact and involvement, help; social roles; and feeling secure. This paper also presents data that demonstrates the ability of theoretically informed, structured survey indicators of QoL to predict respondents' self-rated overall QoL. Logistic regression analyses showed that most of these indicators were strong, independent predictors of self-ratings of QoL, although those that were not significant in the model did not fully incorporate lay reasons of QoL in their measurement scales. In conclusion, the indicators which were not significant in the model did not fully incorporate lay values in their measurement properties. It is also likely that those indicators that were significant could have been improved.

scholarly journals The Rio Health Gym Program: Daily life, leisure and health of older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle Cristina Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Luiz Fernando Rangel Tura ◽  
Rafael Celestino da Silva ◽  
Márcia de Assunção Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
The Social ◽  
The City

Abstract Objective: to identify the activities performed by older adults as part of the Rio Health Gym Program in their daily lives, and analyze the contributions of these practices to their health and quality of life. Method: a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted using interviews with 30 older adults who attended a health center in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Lexicographic analysis was performed using the Alceste software program. Results: five lexical classes were generated. Physical and leisure activities comprised classes 2 and 3. The statements that made up the lexical classes showed that older adults carried out their daily activities with autonomy and independence. According to their assessment, the activities promote the integration of participants, increase social participation and benefit health and quality of life. They attribute their proactivity to participation in the social group. Conclusion: the activities bring diversity to daily living, increase socialization and leisure opportunities, and consequently improve the health of older people by facilitating social relationships.

The effect of positive thinking training on the quality of life of parents of adolescent with thalassemia

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeleh Sadeghloo ◽  
Parna Shamsaee ◽  
Elham Hesari ◽  
Golbanhar Akhondzadeh ◽  
Hamid Hojjati
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
T Test ◽  
World Health ◽  
Positive Thinking ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Paired T Test

Abstract Introduction Thalassemia, as the most common chronic hereditary blood disorder in humans, can impose many adverse effects on parents and their affected children. On the other hand, positive thinking is the method or the result of a positive focus on a constructive issue, so by teaching positive thinking, we can improve physical and social function, and promote emotional health and overall quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of positive thinking training on the quality of life of parents of adolescents with thalassemia. Methods This quasi-experimental study was performed on 52 parents of adolescents with thalassemia who attended Taleghani Hospital in Golestan province, Iran in 2017. Samples were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention and control. The positive thinking training (based on the theory of Martin Seligman) was carried out in the intervention group in 10 (45–60 min) sessions over a 5-week period. Data collection tools in this study were the World Health Organization (WHO) quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and a demographic information questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS-16 software using independent t-test, the paired t-test and a covariance test. Results The results of paired t-test showed a significant difference in the score of quality of life in intervention group before and after the intervention (p < 0.001). However, this test did not show any significant difference in the control group (p = 0.11). The covariance test, after removing the pre-test score, showed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the score of quality of life, so that 13% of the changes after the intervention were due to the intervention (p = 0.009, η = 0.13). Conclusion The positive thinking training increased the quality of life of parents of adolescents with thalassemia. Therefore, using this program can be an effective way of improving the quality of life of parents. Thus, positive thinking training is suggested to be used as an effective strategy for increasing the quality of life of parents with ill children.

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