Naslov
Family, Social Support and Quality of Life of Aged People in Different Regions of Croatia

Autori
Despot Lučanin, Jasminka ; Lučanin, Damir ; Havelka, Mladen

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
Book of Selected Proceedings of the 15th Psychology Days in Zadar / Ćubela Adorić, Vera - Zadar : Sveučilište u Zadru, 2007, 93-107

ISBN
978-953-7237-21-9

Skup
15. Dani psihologije u Zadru

Mjesto i datum
Zadar, Hrvatska, 25.05.2006. - 27.05.2006

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
social support; quality of life; old people

Sažetak
Kind and quantity of social support or the size of social network determine the quality of life and survival in old age (Litwin, 1999 ; McCamish-Svensson et al., 1999). Research confirm the association between different forms of social support and changes in physical and psychological health of aged persons, as well as lower mortality of aged people with stronger social support when compared to those with weak social support (Antonucci & Akiyama, 1993 ; Cutrona et al., 1986 ; Despot Lučanin, 2003). The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between social support network and quality of life of aged persons from different regions of Croatia. Participants were 1262 aged persons, average age 74 years (60-100), living in their own home, from four regions of Croatia: Zagreb, Istria, Dalmatia and Slavonia. Data on sociodemographic status, family and health status, social support and quality of life indicators: functional ability, life satisfaction and self-perceived health were collected by a structured interview. Lower social support was associated to lower quality of life: all participants living alone, in all regions, showed lower results in quality of life variables. Two discriminant analyses revealed discriminating factors among the four regions, determined by social support from family and friends, by kinds of social support (instrumental support and companionship), by quality of life (life satisfaction and self-perceived health) and emotional support. Results emphasize the need to strengthen formal sources of support and assistance, to substitute for the scarce social support network. Thus, quality of life of aged people could be enhanced.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

POVEZANOST RADA