Association of Cognitive Function, Depression, and Social Engagement with Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Elderly in West Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: As Indonesia’s elderly population grows, quality of life (QoL) has become a critical indicator of healthy aging. Evidence regarding the influence of cognitive function, depression, and social engagement on QoL remains inconsistent and is often limited to institutionalized elderly. This study examined these associations among community-dwelling elderly in an urban setting.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at PUSAKA Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, from March to November 2023. Ninety-eight participants aged ≥60 years were selected using simple random sampling. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment–Indonesian version (MoCA-INA), depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), social engagement using the Social Disengagement Index, and QoL using the WHO Quality of Life–Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Most respondents were female (71.4%), aged 60–74 years (74.5%). The majority demonstrated normal cognitive function (63.3%), good social engagement (90.8%), and no depression. Overall QoL satisfaction was high, particularly in the social relationship (71.4%) and environmental domains (90.8%). Bivariate analysis showed associations between education, cognitive function, social engagement, gender, depression and specific QoL domains (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified gender as the strongest predictor of the environmental QoL (OR=5.63, p=0.025), education for social relationship (OR=2.99, p=0.020), and depression for general health perception (OR=3.16, p=0.041).

Conclusions: Cognitive function, depression, education, and social engagement are key determinants of QoL among community-dwelling elderly. Community-based interventions focusing on mental health, cognitive stimulation, and social participation may improve QoL and support healthy aging.