Self-perceived quality of life, health, and physical activity among older adults: the roles of marital status and residence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: To examine the associations between marital status, place of residence, self-reported health status, quality of life, and physical activity among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 962 participants aged 65 and older, surveyed between March 2020 and May 2023. Respondents were categorized according to marital status (married/living with a partner, single, divorced, widowed) and place of residence (own home vs nursing home). Standardized instruments were used: the Short Form Health Survey-36 for health status, the Personal Well-being Index for quality of life, and the Croatian short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Respondents who were married or living with a partner reported significantly higher levels of physical activity, better physical and mental health, and greater life satisfaction than single, divorced, or widowed respondents (P<0.001). Community-dwelling respondents scored significantly higher on most health and quality-of-life indicators than nursing home residents, except for perceived future security.

CONCLUSION

Marital status and living arrangements significantly affected the self-perceived health, physical activity, and quality of life of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results emphasize the importance of social support and residential context in promoting healthy aging.