Elderly person's connection of family relations with quality of life and shame in the context primary healthcare

Abstract

Objectives

The elderly persons continue to invest substantially in emotional relationships.

Aim

The overall objective of this research study was to investigate the attitudes of elderly persons towards family relations.

Method

One hundred and ninety-seven healthy elderly individuals participated to the present study from different region in Greece. The age range was 66–93 years old. The questionnaire included: (a) the Family Environment Scale (Family Environment Scale, Form R-FES), (b) The Experience of Shame Scale (ESS), (c) the Other As Shamer Scale (OAS), (d) Quality of Life (SF-36).

Results

Univariate and multivariate analysis was applied for the statistical analysis of the data, which showed that: the elderly persons who are satisfied with their lives in past, they exhibit lower overall price external shame feelings of emptiness (empty – OAS) (P = .002), they perceived reaction of others when they make mistakes (Mistakes – OAS) (P = .000), conflict (Conflict – [Form R-FES]) (P = .000). Elderly persons who are satisfied with their life in this time show higher levels of orientation towards active recreational activity (Active-Recreational Orientation – R-FES) (P = .000). Elderly persons who declared that family relation is important for them exhibit lower levels of feeling vacuum (empty – OAS) (P = .009), and higher levels of orientation for achievements (Achievement Orientation) (R-FES) (P = .010), social role (SF – SF36) (P = .000), Mental Health summary Scale (SF_MCS-SF36) (P = .000).

Conclusion

From the findings of this study, it is apparent how important is the study of the quality of life in old age.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.