A CAUSAL MODEL OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ELDERS LIVING IN BANGKOK’S SLUMS

Back to Page Authors: Pitchada Prasittichok

Keywords: causal relationship model, health-related quality of life, elders, Bangkok’s slums

Abstract: The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of elders has become an important public health issue. This study aimed to develop and investigate the causal relationship model and analyze the direct and indirect effects of causal factors affecting HRQOL among elders living in Bangkok’s slums. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. The participants consisted of 400 Thai elders aged 60 years and above living in Bangkok’s slums. Data were collected by face to face interviews using structures questionnaires including; demographics, social support, perceived self-efficacy, health literacy and Thai version of EQ-5D-5L. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling were used for analyzing the data. The results showed that this causal model fitted the empirical data. Based on R2 values, this structural model accounted for 56% of the total variance in perceived self-efficacy and 97% of total variance in HRQOL. Health literacy exerted a positive indirect effect on HRQOL via perceived self-efficacy. Health care providers should design the intervention for promoting HRQOL in these elders by an emphasis on enhancing perceived self-efficacy, social support, demographic factor, and health literacy.