ROLE OF SOCIAL INTERACTION ON QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Introduction: Society plays an important role in determining quality of life of human beings particularly in case of loneliness, physical inability and loss of income. In this background there is a great role of social interaction in improving quality of life of geriatric population.

Methodology: This community-based interventional longitudinal study was done among the study population using Quality of Life Questionnaire developed by World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) by conducting interviews by house to house visit. The selected study subjects according to gender and place of residence were told to conduct regular social interaction session as per their convenient time and place. After 8 weeks of social interaction sessions again the participants were asked about their quality of life by conducting interviews using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.

Results: It was found that mean transformed scores of quality of life improved significantly in all domains after social interaction as compared to score at the beginning of the study. Further, the difference of score (before and after social interaction) was significantly higher among those who attended social interaction session for more number of days.

Conclusion: Social interaction has a significant role in improving the quality of life of elderly people.