Aims: As other life periods, aging is characterized by physical, mental, and social changes. In the adaptation with such changes, the elderly might face with problems such as sense of helplessness and emotional disturbances, while their quality of life is affected. The aim of this study was to determine the roles of anxiety and depression, as well as the demographic factors, in the prediction of the quality of life of the retired elderly in Gonabad Township.

Instrument & Methods: In the descriptive correlational study, the elderly, who were members of Gonabad Township Retired Center, were studied. 200 persons were randomly selected. Data was collected by four questionnaires including a demographic, Beck depression, Beck anxiety, and quality of life. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software using stepwise multiple regression analysis and the effect coding tests.

Findings: Mean anxiety level of the samples was 12.47±7.49. Mean depression level was 15.58±11.07. The quality of life (78.11±14.58) included mental health (29.60±6.24), social relationships and life environment (24.25±5.66), and physical health (24.26±4.71). There was a significant correlation between total mean of quality of life and depression and anxiety, but without any significant correlation with the demographic characteristics. Depression and the sum of depression and anxiety predicted 35.8% and 40.1% of the variance of quality of life, respectively. There was a lineal correlation between depression and anxiety and the quality of life. 17.9%, 30.2%, 21.3%, 39.9%, and 16.1% of the variance of quality of life were predicted by age, diploma certification, post-diploma certification, income, and marital status, respectively.

Conclusion: Anxiety, depression, and some demographic characteristics are the predictors of the quality of life of the elderly.