COVID-19 Attitudes and Quality of Life in Older Adults in Puerto Rico: The Mediating Role of Psychological Sense of Community.

Abstract

Quality of life (QOL) for older adults in Puerto Rico was significantly impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet there has been little attention to this topic. This study examines the association between COVID-19-related attitudes and QOL and the mediating role of the psychological sense of community (PSOC) in this context. Data are from a COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey with a nonprobability sample of 213 Puerto Rican adults aged 60+ in 2021. We conducted a mediated linear regression model using Hayes's PROCESS macro. Results showed that both COVID-19 attitudes and PSOC positively related to QOL. Additionally, COVID-19 attitudes also had a positive effect on PSOC and an indirect, positive effect on QOL through PSOC. These findings suggest that enhancing older adults' positive attitudes and strengthening community connections should be central to public health strategies, especially in community-oriented cultures like Puerto Rico.