Exploring the quality of life of depressed and nondepressed, home-dwelling, Norwegian adults.

Aim: This study aims to explore how intimacy, physical and psychological health, loneliness, and attitudes to ageing at a time of loss affect the overall quality of life (QoL) of nondepressed and depressed older adults.

Method: This was a randomised, stratified, cross-sectional study with two subsamples: depressed (n=74; mean: 77.9 years; 65% female) and nondepressed (n=356; mean: 75.0 years; 55% female), and based on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15.

Results: Physical health accounted for the greatest variance in overall QoL in the nondepressed group; psychological health, losses, and feelings of intimacy also made significant contributions. In the depressed group, intimacy made the strongest contribution, while psychological health came a close second.

Conclusions: Physical health, psychological health, and loss were important to the QoL of nondepressed older adults, while intimacy was important for QoL in both depressed and nondepressed older adults. For those who are depressed, feelings of intimacy, in the form of having opportunities to express and receive love, are especially relevant and should be assessed by health professionals when planning interventions.