Effects of Ageism, Depression, Physical Resilience, and Frailty on Quality of Life Among Older Women

In Taiwan, as a super-aging society, older women face unique challenges that affect their health and quality of life (QoL). The present 1-year longitudinal study was conducted to examine changes in physical and psychosocial health and the relationship between these factors and QoL from March 2023 to June 2024. Women ( N = 114) aged over 60 years completed baseline assessments, which included demographic information and evaluations using standardized scales, and 48 completed the follow-ups conducted 1 year later. Findings showed a significant decline in QoL, particularly among those aged 75+ years (effect size = 0.630). Self-directed ageism, frailty, physical resilience, and depression were identified as critical associated factors affecting QoL. These results highlight the importance of developing tailored strategies for young-older (60–74 years) and old-older individuals (75+ years), focusing on preserving physical abilities, managing chronic illnesses, and enhancing psychosocial health, particularly for older women to improve their overall well-being and reduce societal caregiving costs.