Quality of Life in healthy old age: relationships with childhood IQ, minor psychological symptoms and optimism

Abstract

In the absence of dementia, childhood IQ, HADS and LOT explain 26.9% of the variance in QoL as reported by community-resident old people. The direction of association between current anxiety and depressive symptoms and lower QoL is uncertain. Lower childhood IQ may contribute to coping less well with later life. Lower QoL is not an invariable concomitant of mild cognitive decline.

Psychosocial factors and health as determinants of quality of life in community-dwelling older adults

“…Depressive mood state plays a particularly important role in these groups, as does the personality trait Emotional Stability, both of which corroborate previous research [6,32]. A degree of caution is needed here, however, as the strong association between mood state and the Emotional Stability trait suggests they may well be measuring a similar construct, sometimes called negative affectivity [62].…”

“…Social class did play a part in predicting some aspects of QoL in both groups; however, as this was occupation-based, it could be a reflection of their current financial circumstances. The lack of association between childhood cognitive ability and QoL in the LBC1921 regression analyses contradicts Bain et al's findings in a similar cohort [6] but mirrors the findings of Gow et al [60], who reported that satisfaction with life in this group was unrelated to childhood IQ. However, there were bivariate associations between childhood IQ and the environment and social domains in the LBC1921, and with physical, environment and general QoL in the LBC1936.…”

“…However, one study [6] found that QoL in older adults was predicted by childhood mental ability and, assessed contemporaneously in old age, personality traits and freedom from minor psychological symptoms. Other studies have argued for a significant role of depressive state in predicting QoL in older adults, over and above life circumstances such as acquired poverty, poor health, loss of independence, and cognitive abilities [6,20]. Others suggest that a key role is played by social relationships [21] and perceived social support [2].…”

“…Cummins et al [4] reviewed 27 definitions of QoL and identified four common components: emotional well-being, health, intimacy issues, and work and productivity [5]. Others have suggested that quality of life is a multidimensional concept incorporating physical and psychological well-being, social participation and lifestyle factors, and an individual's expectations for their life [6,7]. Many researchers assert that QoL and subjective well-being, while related to social indicators such as wealth, education and physical health, are more influenced by individual factors such as personality, values and mood [8].…”

“…People's current circumstances such as ill health, cognitive status and mood may influence QoL more than historical factors such as childhood deprivation and education [19,20]. However, one study [6] found that QoL in older adults was predicted by childhood mental ability and, assessed contemporaneously in old age, personality traits and freedom from minor psychological symptoms. Other studies have argued for a significant role of depressive state in predicting QoL in older adults, over and above life circumstances such as acquired poverty, poor health, loss of independence, and cognitive abilities [6,20].…”