Positive perception of aging is a key predictor of quality-of-life in aging people

• Published in: PloS one 2018-10, Vol.13 (10), p.e0204044-e0204044
• Main Authors: Ingrand, Isabelle, Paccalin, Marc, Liuu, Evelyne, Gil, Roger, Ingrand, Pierre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aging; Aging (Biology); Aging - psychology; Analysis; Baby boomers; Beliefs, opinions and attitudes; Biology and Life Sciences; Cognitive ability; Cohort Studies; Coping; Cross-Sectional Studies; Elderly; Emotions; Financing, Personal; France; Health aspects; Health Status; Human health and pathology; Humans; Life Sciences; Mathematical models; Medicine and Health Sciences; Middle Aged; Older people; Perception; Perceptions; Population; Psychological factors; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Questionnaires; Self Concept; Self esteem; Social interactions; Social Sciences; Social support
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204044

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in France in a cohort over 55 years of age to characterize the impact of psychological dimensions on quality-of-life (QoL). The predictors of QoL in relation with aging were studied using an adapted quality-of-life model, based on emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms, functional status, and general health perception. Adding psychological dimensions such as self-esteem, psychological distress, perceptions of ageing and coping, was hypothesized to improve the QoL model. Responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling and path analysis. The study involved 258 participants, mean age 66.9±7.9 years. Psychological distress and positive perception of aging exhibited the strongest direct impact on QoL (p