Mediating effect of social support between functional independence and quality of life among older adults with moderate to severe disabilities

The quality of life of older people is generally associated with a decline due to disability. This study aims to explore the correlations among functional independence, social support, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in community-dwelling elderly individuals with moderate to severe disabilities, and to further analyze evidence consistent with a mediating pathway of social support in the relationship between functional independence and HRQoL. A cross-sectional study of community-older adults with disabilities was conducted using convenience sampling method. The survey instruments include The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire, Functional independence measurement and The Social Support Rating Scale. Using cross-sectional data, structural equation modeling provided evidence consistent with an indirect association of functional independence with health-related quality of life via social support. The health-related quality of life score for the older adults with moderate to severe disabilities in the community is 37.5 ± 6.22. There was a bivariate correlation between HRQoL, functional independence, and social support. There is evidence consistent with a mediating pathway of social support between functional independence and HRQoL, with a mediation effect value of 0.232. Community-dwelling older adults with disabilities have low levels of quality of life. There is evidence consistent with a mediating pathway of social support in the relationship between functional independence and HRQoL. When older people with disabilities receive adequate social support, they may be better able to adapt to and mitigate the decline in functional independence, maintain a positive mindset, and thus potentially improve their quality of life.