A Correlation between Quality of Life and Depression in Elderly Persons

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to find out if there is a relationship between quality of life and depression in elderly persons. This research also includes variables such as spirituality and the purpose of life. The objectives of the study involve exploring the associations between depression, spirituality, the purpose of life, and the quality of life at an advanced age. Participants are 28 subjects, aged (65 to 97 with a mean age of 85.6 years) all residents of an elder people establishment. Participants are predominantly female. To test the hypotheses, we used 4 questionnaires, namely: Geriatric depression scale (Yesavage, et al, 1983), Quality of life (Flangan, 1970), The purpose of life test (Frankl, 1959), and a test that merge two questionnaires (Personal Value Scale, Scott, 1965 and Spirituality Index of Well-Being, Daaleman, & Frey, 2004). The results showed statistically significant data confirmed by the literature as well, with depression being negatively correlated with quality of life, spirituality, and purpose of life, while quality of life is positively correlated with spirituality and purpose in life. The implications and limits of the research are also discussed.