Structural Equation Modeling on Quality of Life in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore how individual factors, physiologic factors, symptoms, environmental factors, functional status and health perception predict the quality of life (QOL) for older adults with osteoarthritis and to provide guidelines for interventions and strategies to improve QOL in these patients. The conceptual model was based on the Wilson and Cleary's Model. METHODS: Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 20.0 and AMOS 19.0 program. RESULTS: The proposed model was a good fit for the data based on the model fit indices. Based on the constructed model, individual factors, social support, functional status and health perception were founded to have direct effects on QOL. Symptom had a indirect effect on QOL. Social support had a significant effect on QOL, and this model explained 63.6% of the variance in QOL. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that nursing strategies to increase QOL in this population should contain social support to promote QOL and manage functional limitations and health perception.