Year: 2012
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background: The population demographic dynamics in many countries are changing with the older people becoming the majority in many societies.It is expected that in western countries especially, aging population will continue to increase.As the average life expectancy continuously increases, we may be faced with spending more years in poor health.Another challenge facing health professionals is to effectively highlight the determinants for healthy aging, that is, to identify the conditions that maintain and/or improve quality of life in old age.Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the connection between sense of coherence (SOC) and health among the older people and how it differs between men and women.Another aim was to understand the major factors associated in attaining healthy aging and to establish if there is evidence which shows that high score of sense of coherence (SOC) will translate into good quality of life (QoL) in the older people.Method: Relevant literatures for this study were obtained through electronic search from CINAHL, PUBMED, and PsychINFO.Results: In all the sixteen studies reviewed, there was one way or the other some kind of association between SOC, health and QoL among the older people.Overall nine studies showed direct relation on SOC and health whiles hinting on some factors to SOC and QoL.Six gave major factors relating SOC and QoL.Women scored lower on the SOC as compared to their male counterpart.A higher QoL score corresponded with a stronger SOC score. Conclusion:Evidence from this review is showed strong connection between SOC and health.Promoting health and wellbeing requires adaptation of different strategies to manage effectively the problems of the older people.This will help make the life of the older people enjoyable.Findings from this study revealed gender differences.It would be important to embark on further research into this issue.
Author: Owuraku Gibson
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3094866434