The purpose of this study is to estimate the extent to which variables that come under the rubric of “social determinants of health” contribute to older persons active living related quality of life. The results will be used in future studies of how these variables interact with known health effects on active living.
A cross-sectional survey was carried out on the degree of active living among community-dwelling people, 65 years of age and older, recruited through HostedinCanada from Canada, USA, UK, and the Netherlands. Participants responded to questions about active living and about personal, health, and social factors in English, French, Spanish, or Dutch. Active living was measured by the Older Persons Active Living-related Quality of Life (OPALrQOL). Social factors were grouped as personal (n=7; nationality/language, education, self-perception of spirituality, ethnicity, finance, type of residence, social support), and environmental factors including services (n=8; stores,banks, pharmacies etc.), resources (n=10; libraries, community/cultural centers, parks etc), and neighbourhood agreeableness factors (n=4; sidewalk, trees etc). Linear regression was used to regress active living on the social variables considering age, sex, nationality/language segment, and their interactions.
The mean age of the 1,612 participants was 71 years (SD: 5.2),and their average active living score was 33/51(SD: 11.5).Significant factors included finance (p.0001,B=2.14;95%CI:1.14-3.13), education (p=0.0007,B=0.71;95%CI:0.38-1.04), and social support {talking to someone in the past week (p=0.0003, B=1.02; 95% CI:0.55-1.49),spending time with someone in the past week (p.0001, B=1.09;95%CI:0.58-1.60), presence of a confidant (p=0.0037,B=2.52; 95%CI:1.35-3.69),and feeling of loneliness (p.0001,B=6.97;95%CI:3.73-10.21)}. The model explained 44.31% of the variability in OPALrQOL.
The study reveals that social variables under study are necessary for active living.Loneliness has a substantial impact on the active-living-related quality of life of older adults as measured by OPALrQOL,highlighting the importance of addressing loneliness and other observed social variables through targeted interventions and policies aimed at improving quality of life.Environmental factors did not have any effect probably because older adults prioritize emotionally meaningful goals and relationships more than physical factors.They might have developed psychological resilience and coping mechanisms over time that buffer the impact of external factors.
Understanding the Social determinants of Health is essential for advancing individual and population health.This study helps to unravel the complexities of social determinants to inform strategies for mitigating health disparities and improving older adults' degree of active living.
Determinants
Active-Living
