The Relationships Between Activities of Daily Living, Depression, and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Path Analysis.

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the relationships between activities of daily living (ADL), depression, and quality of life. Specifically, the study aimed to evaluate the potential mediating role of depression in the relationship between activities of daily living and quality of life in a sample of Iranian older adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 118 older adult adults with multiple chronic conditions in Iran from December 2022 to September 2023. Data were collected using a demographic and health information questionnaire, the Katz Index, the Lawton scale, Old-World Health Organization Quality of Life, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Path analysis was used to test the hypothesis.

Results: Participants' average age was 70.15 ± 6.91 years. BADL (B = 0.2,  = .02), and depression (B = -0.25,  = .004) were significantly related to the quality of life. The standardized indirect effect of BADL on quality of life was 0.08 ( = .006).

Conclusions: According to the results of this study, functional status can directly and also, indirectly affect the quality of life of older adults with multiple chronic conditions through depression.

Clinical Implications: Health care providers are advised to carefully assess older adults' mental health and functional status and consider their relationships to quality of life.