Types of social support and quality of life in older adults

Introduction: Social support is a key factor in maintaining a good standard of health and quality of life for older people. The aim of this study was to assess relations between social support functions and quality of life among Iranian community dwelling older.Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Qom, Iran, from May to October ۲۰۲۰. Three hundred older residents in a community were selected from retirement centers via cluster sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire containing items on family APGAR scale, Social Support survey, and Leipad elderly quality of life questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.Results: Social support was positively and significantly associated with quality of life. Multiple regression revealed that for both males and females, tangible support (β =-۰.۱۹; p = ۰.۰۱۵), Positive social interaction (β =۰.۱۸; p = ۰.۰۴۷), and Affectionate support (β =۰.۱۹; p = ۰.۰۱۲) as the significant predictors of quality of life.Conclusion: The results indicated that social support is related to quality of life among participants. So, efforts to increase social support might be useful to support the quality of life among Iranian older people.

Keywords:

quality of life , family function , social support , Aging