Lifelong traumatic events, social support, and health-related quality of life among older adults

Purpose. The present study aimed to investigate the relation between lifelong exposure to traumatic life events and health-related quality of life in a sample of older people. We also assessed the moderating role of social support in the relation between traumatic life events exposure and quality of life. Method. A sample of 172 participants (Mage = 68.81, SD = 7.15; 68.6% female and 31.4% male) was involved in this study. The participants completed scales measuring lifelong exposure to traumatic events, social support, and health-related quality of life. Results. The results showed that lifelong exposure to traumatic events was negatively related to physical functioning, emotional well-being, social functioning, and general health perception. It was also positively related to body pain, role limitations due to physical health problems and role limitations due to personal or emotional problems. Moreover, social support moderated the relation between traumatic life events exposure and dimensions of health-related quality of life. High social support from family contributed to reduced role limitations following trauma exposure, whereas more social support from friends led to poorer emotional well-being. Discussion. Geriatric services could identify and implement adequate measured to provide social support and to improve different dimensions of quality of life among older adults.