Factors Predicting the Quality of Life among Elderly People Aged 70 Years and Older in Bangmulnak District, Phichit Province

Abstract

              This cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to study the levels of quality of life and the factors
predicting the quality of life among elderly people aged 70 years and older in Bang Mun Nak District,
Phichit Province. The samples were 304 elderly people aged 70 and older selected randomly by multistage
sampling. A questionnaire with reliability values ranging from 0.701 to 0.883 was used for data
collection and it consisted of the sections on behavior, environment, health, and quality of life. The
data were collected in September 2021. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis
were used to analyze the data. It was found that the overall quality of life among elderly people aged 70
years and older was at middle level (Mean=2.220, SD=0.430). The four components of quality of life
including physical health (Mean=2.128, SD=0.406), mental health (Mean=2.361, SD=0.508), social
relationship (Mean=2.095, SD>0.05), and environment (Mean=2.335, SD=0.486) were at the middle
level. Factors predicting quality of life among elderly people aged 70 years and older consisted of daily
living ability (b=0.839, p<0.05), sleep behavior (b=2.061, p<0.05), participation in community
activities (b=4.115, p<0.05), food consumption behavior (b=2.206, p<0.05), and depression
(b=-6.542, p<0.05). Such factors could predict the quality of life among elderly people aged 70 years
and older up to 21.20 percent. Therefore, the results of this research could be used as information to
develop policies and operational plans to promote a better quality of life among elderly people.