The associations between psychological needs, health-related quality of life and subjective well-being among Chinese older people: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

The present study investigated the associations between the three psychological needs (autonomy, competence and relatedness) derived from the Self-determination Theory and well-being [health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and subjective well-being (SWB)] among older people in Hong Kong SAR, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2018 in Hong Kong. A total of 230 participants aged 60-year-old or above were recruited from eight community service centres. Results from adjusted regression analysis showed that, among the three psychological needs, competence and relatedness were positively associated with SWB, while relatedness was positively associated with physical health domain of HRQOL. The three psychological needs had no significant associations with mental health domain of HRQOL. Interventions to improve HRQOL and SWB should promote older people's sense of competence and relatedness. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the causal relationships and look at other physical, mental and social health outcomes.

Keywords: health-related quality of life; older people; psychological needs; self-determination theory; subjective well-being.