Subjective Quality of Life in Old Age in Greece

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Efklides ◽  
Maria Kalaitzidou ◽  
Grace Chankin

Subjective quality of life can be defined in terms of life satisfaction (LS), subjective well-being (SWB), happiness, and morale. In our study, we investigated the effect of demographic, health, affective, and adaptation-to-old-age factors on the above attributes of subjective quality of life. The sample was comprised of 160 elderly of both genders, aged 63 to 100 years. Half of them lived in a Greek city and the rest came from a small town and nearby villages. Participants filled in questionnaires on (a) demographic information; (b) subjective perception of their health condition; (c) emotional state; (d) adaptation to old age; (e) Life Satisfaction Index A and B ( Neugarten, Havighurst, & Tobin, 1961 ). Pearson correlation and regression analyses showed that the effect of demographic and health factors was mediated by affect and adaptation-to-old-age factors. Positive affect contributed to all aspects of subjective quality of life, whereas negative affect was important for the determination of happiness and SWB. Particularly important for LS proved to be good adaptation to old age and generativity toward one's children, whereas self-control and efficacy, and downward social comparison for one's health condition contributed to morale. Having children had a significant contribution to happiness, morale, and LS but not to SWB. The results are discussed in terms of collectivist values of the Greek society.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Paweł F. Nowak ◽  
Agnieszka Bożek ◽  
Mateusz Blukacz

The aim of our study was to explore the relation between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the subjective and objective indicators of quality of life as well as life satisfaction among university students, whose education is related to different dimensions on health. Participants (N = 595) were invited to fill in a set of suitable questionnaires. The path analysis and linear regression were used to establish a relationship between the examined constructs. Only some types of physical activity have shown a positive relation with the quality of life; the study also revealed some age and gender regularities. Physical activity in the household was most positively correlated to the quality of life. The amount of leisure and transport physical activity decreased with age, and there were also gender differences regarding the intensity and type of physical activity. Sedentary behavior during the week related positively with the subjective quality of life and its intimacy dimension, but sedentary behavior at the weekends was negatively related to objective and subjective quality of life as well as dimensions including intimacy, safety, and communicative aspect of the quality of life. Neither physical activity nor sedentary behavior demonstrated a significant relation with the level of life satisfaction. The type of physical activity undertaken and its matching to the needs of the young person affected their objective and subjective quality of life. Those findings may have important implications for institutions responsible for promoting active lifestyle.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-155
Author(s):  
T. G. Bokhan ◽  
M. V. Shabalovskaya ◽  
O. V. Terekhina ◽  
A. L. Ulyanich ◽  
Ju. V. Borodich ◽  
...  

The research featured predictors of subjective quality of students' life in the context of international student migration. The paper focuses on the ideological and ethnic components of social identity as a key predictor of the subjective quality of life in students of different ethnicities. The subjective quality of life was studied from the point of view of its motivational, emotional, and cognitive components. The research involved foreign students of Tomsk universities that came from various African or European countries, China, India, and Russia. The social identity was defined based on two questionnaires, namely The Types of Ethnic Identity by G. U. Soldatova and S. V. Ryzhova and The Scale of Ideological Ego Identity by J. R. Adams; components of the subjective quality of life – according to The Scale of Positive and Negative Affect by D. Watson et al., The Scale of Life Satisfaction by E. Diener et al., and The Values of Happiness by B. Ford et al. The authors managed to define the factor structure of social identity, which appeared to have both ethnically-specific and universal features. All cultural groups demonstrated certain factors of social identity that can act as key predictors of ideas about happiness, as well as about emotional (dominant affect) and cognitive (assessment of life satisfaction) components of the subjective quality of life. The results can help to set goals for psychological and educational support of foreign students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-76
Author(s):  
T.G. Bokhan ◽  
A.L. Ul’yanich ◽  
O.V. Terekhina ◽  
T.A. Vidyakina ◽  
E.V. Galazhinskiy

Objective. Identification of features of subjective well-being and their connection with values, the implementation of which causes feelings of happiness and joy, among students of different cultural groups. Background. In the conditions of educational migration, students ‘life activity goes beyond the traditional cultural circle to a wide multicultural space, where a special role is given to the reflection of value and semantic regulation, which can be reflected in the subjective well-being of students’ representatives. Study design. We studied the features and differences in the cognitive and emotional components of subjective well-being and values among students of different cultural groups, and determined their relationship in each group. Descriptive statistics, comparative and correlation analysis were used for statistical data processing. Participants. The study sample consisted of 200 Tomsk University students aged 17 to 26 years (M=19.87; SD=1.88), who were divided into 5 study groups based on the criterion of cultural affiliation. Measurements. To study indicators of subjective quality of life, we used the “life satisfaction scale” (E. Diener, adaptation by D.A. Leont’ev, E.N. Osin) and the “scale of positive and negative affect” PANAS (D. Watson, adaptation by E.N. Osin). The orientation of values was studied using the B. Ford questionnaire. Results. It was found that the majority of representatives of all cultural groups are satisfied with their lives. There are statistically significant differences in life satisfaction indicators between cultural groups in the components of subjective well-being. The data obtained on differences (significance level p≤0.05) in values, the implementation of which allows students to experience feelings of joy and happiness, in some results are consistent with existing traditional ideas, in others — do not coincide with them, reflecting modern cultural transformations. Conclusions. Various interrelations of value orientations with components of subjective quality of life in the study groups are revealed, which may indicate specific cultural features.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (340) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Magdalena Katarzyna Kowalska

The ageing of the population is one of the most important problems of contemporary European societies. It is assumed that, within the next two decades, the percentage of people aged 65 and older throughout the population of the European Union will increase up to 20%, and around 2060 – nearly one third of the community’s inhabitants will reach this age. Therefore, it is important for the elderly people to have proper living conditions ensured, in particular in countries such as Poland, where seniors are still marginalised and excluded from many areas of social life. The quality of life of people in the post‑working age can be determined by taking account of numerous factors. These include, above all: financial situation, living conditions, health condition, self‑esteem, and the feeling of playing a significant role for the family and for the society.The purpose of the presented study is to assess the quality of life of elderly people from the region of Malopolskie Voivodship. The analysis of the research material takes account of various aspects of this particular category, namely the quality of life, with clear focus on the so‑called subjective quality of life. Conclusions were drawn on the basis of results of the study conducted in 2015 on a group of 150 people aged 60+, living in the counties of Myślenice and Nowy Targ from the Małopolskie Voivodship.Among numerous elements that can be used to assess the quality of life, crucial importance has the determination of the degree of satisfaction of seniors on several levels: with regard to relations with family members, health condition, and the housing situation. In addition, it was deemed important to identify the attitude of the environment towards seniors, as well as indicate the needs and expectations of elderly people with regard to e.g. services and products missing from the Polish market and addressed to this age category.The research results indicate that the subjective quality of life of the examined elderly people from the two counties is on an average level. Such a conclusion may be drawn on the basis of opinions of the respondents, who are rather satisfied with contacts with the environment and, at the same time, moderately satisfied with their health condition. Furthermore, the examined seniors notice clear shortages on the Polish market within the offer of services and products addressed specifically to their age group.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
K. M. Gicas ◽  
C. Mejia-Lancheros ◽  
R. Nisenbaum ◽  
R. Wang ◽  
S. W. Hwang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background High rates of physical and mental health comorbidities are associated with functional impairment among persons who are homeless. Cognitive dysfunction is common, but how it contributes to various functional outcomes in this population has not been well investigated. This study examines how cognition covaries with community functioning and subjective quality of life over a 6-year period while accounting for the effects of risk and protective factors. Methods Participants were 349 homeless adults (mean age = 39.8) recruited from the Toronto site of the At Home/Chez Soi study, a large Canadian randomized control trial of Housing First. Participants completed up to four clinical evaluations over 6 years. Factor scores were created to index verbal learning and memory (vLM) and processing speed-cognitive flexibility (PSCF). The primary outcomes were community functioning and subjective quality of life. Risk factors included lifetime homelessness, mental health diagnoses, medical comorbidity, and childhood adversity. Linear mixed-effects models were conducted to examine cognition-functional outcome associations over time, with resilience as a moderator. Results Better vLM (b = 0.787, p = 0.010) and PSCF (b = 1.66, p < 0.001) were associated with better community functioning, but not with quality of life. Resilience conferred a protective effect on subjective quality of life (b = 1.45, p = 0.011) but did not moderate outcomes. Conclusions Our findings suggest a need to consider the unique determinants of community functioning and quality of life among homeless adults. Cognition should be prioritized as a key intervention target within existing service delivery models to optimize long-term functional outcomes.


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