As the portion of older adults in the population in rural areas of South Korea exceeds 20%, the importance of health-related quality of life is increasing. The aim of the study was to examine the health-related quality of life through the ecological model and its basic determining factors for older adults. The study was conducted on 184 respondents aged 65 and over living in rural areas of South Korea. The measurements were health-related quality of life, health care service needs, sleep quality, social support, and personal characteristics. The collected data were tested using descriptive, t-test, ANOVA, and hierarchical multiple regression. The results showed that older adults in rural areas experienced a low quality of life. Religion, having a helper, and social support were significantly related to health-related quality of life in older adults. This directly shows that the government should make efforts to build a social support system to improve the gap between urban and rural areas. To improve the health-related quality of life of older adults in rural areas, it would be helpful to increase physical activity and to form a community, leading to a social network.
Keywords: ecological model; health related quality of life; older adults; rural population.