Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the association between structural social support and quality of life (QoL) among urban older people in Malaysia.

Methods

Cross-sectional data of 1484 participants from the first wave of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) were analysed. QoL was measured with the Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure 12-item scale (CASP-12). Multivariate analyses were run using the generalised linear interactive model (GLIM) to determine the association between structural social support measures and QoL.

Results

The mean age of the sample was 70.1 (SD = 7.4) years. Being married (B = 0.05, 95%CI 0.02, 0.08), larger social networks (B = 0.01, 95%CI 0.01, 0.02) and social participation (B = 0.02, 95%CI 0.02, 0.09) were associated with higher QoL, while living alone (B= −0.04, 95%CI −0.06, −0.02) was associated with lower QoL.

Conclusion

Structural social support plays an important role in the QoL of older people in Malaysia.