Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Without Social Participation in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of community-dwelling older adults who exhibited high health-related quality of life (HRQOL) without social participation. This cross-sectional observational study collected data using a mailed questionnaire. This study included 1,183 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years who lived in Japan. HRQOL was assessed via the EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Levels (EQ-5D-5L). Multivariate analysis was performed; full health status (EQ-5D-5L = 1) was used as the objective variable, and socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related variables were used as the explanatory variables. Driving (OR = 3.846), economic situation (1.938), purpose in life (2.211), primary illness (0.398), low physical function (0.051), and depressive symptoms (0.288) were associated with higher HRQOL among community-dwelling older adults without social participation. This exploratory study suggests the possibility of promoting and improving the HRQOL of community-dwelling older adults without social participation by strengthening specific factors among them.

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