Older German adults’ health-related quality of life and associated social factors

Abstract Background A differentiated analysis of the structural relationships between social factors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older German adults has not yet been conducted. In this analysis, we aimed to examine the relationships between sociodemographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and behavioural factors and both physical and mental HRQOL in older German adults. Methods A community-based postal survey was used to collect cross-sectional data from German adults aged 65 and older (n = 1687, 33% response proportion, 52% female). Physical and mental dimensions of HRQOL were assessed using Short Form 36, version 2. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyse the associations between social factors and both physical and mental HRQOL. Results Health locus of control, physical activity, and income were positively associated with both physical HRQOL (Adj. R2 = 0.34, p < 0.001) and mental HRQOL (Adj. R2 = 0.22, p < 0.001), whereas age was negatively associated with both. Alcohol use was positively associated with physical HRQOL, and social support was positively associated with mental HRQOL. Conclusions A differentiated understanding of the relationships between social factors and HRQOL assists in group-specific targeting of health interventions. Demand-oriented interventions should consider underlying social factors to reduce socially determined inequities in HRQOL among older German adults. Depending on the focus of the intervention, it may be helpful to take specific social conditions into account. The results may be transferable to municipalities in high-income European countries. Key messages