Health, valuation of life, and the wish to live

This research investigated the relationship of an affective-cognitive schem a, valuation of life (VOL), to older people's responses to a set of health utility (years of desired life) questions. Six hundred healthy and chronica lly ill elders aged 70 and older were interviewed to measure quality of lif e (QOL), mental health, and VOL. Valuation of life was significantly correl ated with longer Years of Desired Life under 8 of 10 health conditions when background, health, QOL, and mental health states were controlled. We conc luded that VOL is an internal representation of the many positive and negat ive features of the person and her everyday life that is necessary to compr ehend how people may cling to life or welcome its end.