Determinants of Quality of Life among Older Adults Living in Agricultural Communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Yodfah Ratmanee

doi:10.57260/csdj.2026.285137

ผู้แต่ง

Yodfah Ratmanee Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57260/csdj.2026.285137

คำสำคัญ:

Quality of life, Older adults, WHOQOL-OLD, Agricultural communities, Rural aging

บทคัดย่อ

This cross-sectional analytical study examined the quality of life (QoL) and its associated determinants among 381 older adults residing in agricultural communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, using the WHOQOL-OLD instrument. The study aimed to examine domain-specific patterns of QoL and to identify the sociodemographic, health, lifestyle, and psychosocial determinants associated with each WHOQOL-OLD domain in rural agricultural settings. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and multivariate linear regression models were applied to determine the independent predictors of each QoL domain.
The sample was predominantly female (51.40%), with most participants aged 60–69 years (57.70%) and 79.00% reporting at least one chronic illness. Poor QoL was most prevalent in the Sensory Abilities (57.22%) and Death and Dying (60.37%) domains, reflecting age-related sensory decline and heightened mortality concerns common in agricultural environments. In contrast, higher levels of good QoL were observed in Past–Present–Future Activities (51.44%) and Intimacy (48.29%), highlighting strong engagement in meaningful roles and close social bonds. Regression analyses indicated that sociodemographic factors (higher education and income), health factors (absence of chronic illness), lifestyle factors (regular physical activity and adequate sleep of 7–8 hours), and psychosocial factors (strong family relationships) were significantly associated with multiple QoL domains. Chronic illness emerged as a strong negative predictor, particularly in the Sensory Abilities, Social Participation, and Death and Dying domains. These findings demonstrate the multidimensional influence of sociodemographic, health, lifestyle, and psychosocial determinants on the well-being of older adults.
This study contributes new knowledge by applying the WHOQOL-OLD framework within agricultural communities, a population underrepresented in aging research. The findings highlight key modifiable factors influencing domain-specific QoL and offer practical implications for community health planning, chronic disease management, and family-centered support strategies to promote healthy and meaningful aging in rural agricultural settings.

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