Social health indicators promoting quality of life for the older people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

TL;DR

This study explores how social health improves the quality of life for older people in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of social support and cultural values.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into social health indicators specific to Saudi Arabia's aging population.

Findings

Older people in Saudi Arabia show strong social health, especially in social support and adjustment.

Cultural values and family-centered care significantly influence positive social health outcomes.

Anticipated demographic changes call for proactive policy interventions to support aging populations.

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of social health to enhancing the quality of life (QOL) among older people in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Given that QOL is a critical health indicator in aging populations, understanding the role of social health is essential for supporting well‑being in later life.

A descriptive research design was employed using the Social Health Scale for Older People. The study sample consisted of 660 Saudi participants aged 65 years and above, representing 0.1% of the national older population.

It revealed a high overall mean for social health indicators, particularly in the domains of social support (M = 2.6341) and social adjustment (M = 2.4066). Social support included emotional acceptance, comfort, encouragement, and daily care. Social adjustment encompassed employment, household involvement, interpersonal communication, psychological well‑being, and self‑health awareness. The results indicate that older people in Saudi Arabia benefit from strong social health outcomes influenced by cultural values, family‑centered care, and positive youth attitudes.

Despite the current strengths in social health, anticipated demographic changes are expected to significantly increase the number of older people in the coming years. This highlights the need for proactive policy interventions. The study recommends strengthening family‑based support through community initiatives, expanding access to institutional care, and promoting intergenerational awareness to ensure sustainable well‑being and dignity for older people in Saudi society.

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