QUALITY OF LIFE AS A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH SELF-ESTEEM IN OLDER ADULTS FROM A SOCIAL GROUP

This study investigated whether quality of life significantly predicts self-esteem in older adults attending a community group. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 148 older adults of both sexes. The WHOQOL-BREF, WHOQOL-OLD, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used. Data collection took place from March to August 2023. Data were analyzed using bootstrapping procedures, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis (p < 0.05). Older adults showed higher quality of life scores in the environmental and social participation domains. A satisfactory level of self-esteem was observed (M = 33.51). All domains and facets of quality of life were found to have significant (p < 0.05) and positive correlations with self-esteem. Significant (p < 0.05) and positive correlations were found between quality of life domains and facets (r between 0.81 and 0.72). The physical (p < 0.01) and psychological (p < 0.05) domains showed optimistic predictions on the self-esteem score. The intimacy facet (p < 0.001) showed a significant optimistic prediction on the self-esteem score. It is concluded that, in the studied sample, high perceptions of quality of life in the physical and psychological domains enhance the self-esteem of older adults attending the community group, while high scores in the social relations domain reduce their self-esteem. Furthermore, high perceptions of quality of life in the intimacy facet potentiate these older adults' self-esteem.