Performance and satisfaction with meaningful occupations as predictors of health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study in rural Japan

INTRODUCTION: Engaging in meaningful occupations at high levels of performance is associated with self-related health. However, there is a dearth of studies examining the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and meaningful occupations among community-dwelling older adults. Clarifying the relationship between good HRQOL and the characteristics of meaningful occupations would provide new insights into occupational therapy strategies for healthy ageing in community-dwelling older adults. This study aimed to determine the categories of meaningful occupations and the relationship between performance and satisfaction with HRQOL in older adults living in rural areas. METHOD: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1600 older adults in a rural Japanese community. Participants responded to demographic questions, the Japanese version of the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L), categories of meaningful occupations, and levels of performance and satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the association between meaningful occupations and HRQOL. RESULTS: The results of multiple regression analysis adjusted for covariates showed that performance and satisfaction with meaningful occupations were significantly associated with HRQOL as measured by the EQ-5D-5L (performance: β = 0.117, p < 0.001; satisfaction: β = 0.142, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that performance and satisfaction with meaningful occupations should be considered in occupational therapy strategies for HRQOL in older adults.