The effect of social support on the quality of life of elderly people living in the city center of Edirne

The aging period comes with various challenges. During this process, social support received from family, friends, and the community significantly affects the quality of life by increasing older adults' participation in daily activities. This study aims to examine the effect of social support on the quality of life among elderly individuals living in the city center of Edirne. A total of 406 individuals aged 65 and over, registered at 23 family health centers in the central district of Edirne, participated in the study. The research data were obtained through a total of 52 survey questions, which included sociodemographic questions as well as questions on social support and quality of life, along with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Short form-12 Quality of Life Scale. The study was conducted with 210 female and 196 male participants. The average age of the participants was 71.59±6.37. The mean total score of perceived social support was found to be 58.83±13.29, while the physical component score of the Short form-12 quality of life scale was 45.06±10.83, and the mental component score was 49.75±10.17. According to the findings of the study, gender, the educational level of the individual and their spouse, employment status, presence of chronic illness, and smoking use were found to significantly affect the level of perceived social support. It was observed that individuals who were married, had a higher level of education, possessed social security, lived in their own homes, did not have chronic diseases, and did not use medication or assistive devices had a higher quality of life. A positive correlation was identified between perceived social support and quality of life. In line with the core principles of family practice, a biopsychosocial evaluation provides insights into the social support needs of elderly individuals and the factors affecting their quality of life. This holistic approach enables family physicians to identify deficiencies in social support among the elderly and contribute to enhancing this support. Thus, the psychological well-being and social participation of older adults are strengthened, which in turn may enhance their quality of life. Keywords: elderly, social support, quality of life, family practice