Adverse life experiences and quality of life among senior citizens of Bhutan

This study investigated links between adverse life experiences, health and quality of life (QOL) among 391 older adults in Bhutan. Women and men aged between 60 to 101 years in four towns were interviewed. Good QOL was reported by most participants, although many encountered difficulties. QOL was associated with the absence of significant illness, spirituality, family harmony and close social connectedness. Adverse life experiences, including from childhood five to eight decades earlier, were linked with poor QOL. This first study in Bhutan to examine these issues yielded insights that may assist development of social services for older people