Quality of Life in Older Adults, Associated Factors and Its Correlation with Loneliness and Activities of Daily Living

Background: and objective: Modifying the older adults lifestyle and attention to its quality may greatly increase the older adults efficiency and independence. This paper investigates the factors affecting the older adults quality of life and its relations with activities of daily living and loneliness in the city of Tabriz. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted on 315 older adults in the city of Tabriz. Data were collected using the questionnaires including The 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) with six PCS-related items and six MCS- related items; the 6-item Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL); and the 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Data were analyzed in SPSS 22 software using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. Findings: In this research, the mean and standard deviation of the summary of the physical component and mental component of quality of life were 49.35 ± 9.45 and 48.38 ± 11.65, respectively. The feeling of loneliness affected MCS, with an inverse significant relationship with the feeling of emotional loneliness (p=-0.38, β = 0.002), and a direct relationship with the feeling of social loneliness (p = 0.031, β = 0.27). Dependent ADL compared to independent ADL had an inverse relationship with PCS (β = -0.23, p < 0.001). Conclusion The emergence of restrictions in the living conditions of the older adults, such as loneliness, may have a positive effect on their health instead of a negative effect, especially if they are worried about their health. For this purpose, it is necessary to make plans related to empowerment, activities of daily lifeving, reducing the feeling of loneliness, improving the quality of life of the older adults according to their conditions, and considering the heterogeneity of the older adults.