Article

Research shows that ability to get around (AGA) is significantly
associated with perceived quality of life (PQOL) among older persons with
self-reported visual impairment. Much of this impact, however, is through
satisfaction with one's functional capacity. Satisfaction with functional
capacity is a construct composed of five items: satisfaction with (1) activities
of daily living, (2) capacity to work, (3) self, (4) health and (5) sleep. At
present, it is not known how AGA interacts individually with these items to
influence PQOL. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent
to which AGA interacts with each of these five items to affect PQOL. METHODS:
Structural equation modelling was employed in a secondary-analysis of data from
356 persons (aged 56-72) with self-reported visual impairment to identify the
pathways by which AGA affects PQOL. RESULTS: Satisfaction with self and health
were the only items found to be both directly related to QOL and to provide a
significant pathway between AGA and PQOL. CONCLUSION: AGA significantly affects
PQOL both directly and indirectly through its impact on people's satisfaction
with self and health. Lessons may be learnt from this to better focus mobility
interventions to enhance PQOL in this population.

Langue : ANGLAIS