ABSTRACT
Background: As basic needs of older people are covered, the concern about the determinants of their quality of life becomes preeminent. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between self-reported quality of life and related variables. Material and Methods: The Quality of Life Survey for older people developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-Old), the reduced scale of Ryff Psychological Well Being, the Functional Social Support Questionnaire, the SF-12 and GHQ12 general health surveys were applied to 406 older adults aged 71 ± 7 years (83 percent women), that were members of older people organizations and lived in Antofagasta, Chile. Results: Older people that perceived themselves as sick had significantly lower quality of life scores. Self-acceptance, social support, autonomy and having a purpose in life also influenced the perception of quality of life. Conclusions: Health issues and the sense of self efficacy are determinants of the quality of life of these older subjects.