Quality of life data in older adults: self-assessment vs interview

There are obstacles for older people when reporting quality of life (QoL) in a survey format. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of data obtained on self-assessed QoL among older people with respect to modes of administration.

Approximately half of the QoL items showed significantly higher mean values in the mail sample than in the interview sample. Data suggest that there may be more vulnerability towards offering socially desirable answers. Problems with reduced energy and loss of memory affect both modes of administration.

This study demonstrates that investigating the mode of questionnaire administration among older people can be a valuable means by which to detect possible threats to data quality when interpreting QoL scores.