Social networks and health-related quality of life among Chinese older adults with vision impairment

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the associations between social networks and vision-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Chinese older adults.

Method: Urban older adults with visual problems (N = 167) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess self-reported visual functioning, general health, social networks, and vision-specific HRQOL. Objective visual function was clinically measured by ophthalmologists in terms of distance visual acuity.

Results: Findings indicate that age-related vision loss is significantly associated with older adults' social networks. Multiple regression analyses show that social networks are mildly related to vision-specific HRQOL even after controlling for other variables, and that friendship network was a significant predictor, independent of family network, of vision-specific HRQOL.

Discussion: Previous studies have emphasized the importance of family network, whereas this study finds that friendship network correlates more strongly with HRQOL measures among Chinese visually impaired older adults. This suggests a need to expand intervention beyond the family system.