Aim To examine the association between quality of life (QoL) and religious coping in older people living in their own homes.

Method A descriptive analytical study was undertaken in Iran with 200 older people aged over 60 living in their own homes who were selected for inclusion by systematic random sampling. Data were collected by use of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) QoL questionnaire and a religious coping questionnaire developed previously by the authors.

Results There was no significant association between QoL and religious coping. However, mental health (r=0.20, P=0.003) and social function (r=0.20, P=0.004) had a significant association with the total score for religious coping. An association between a high level of religious coping and QoL was significant only for the mental health domain of the SF-36 (P=0.04).

Conclusion In light of these results, it can be suggested that older people’s mental health and social function may be improved by strengthening their religious beliefs. Mental health and social function are associated with other QoL domains and so their promotion may also improve overall QoL.