Psychological factors influencing life satisfaction in patients with chronic diseases

Abstract

Objective: Chronic diseases often lead patients to adopt certain health behaviors. Change in daily habits can have psychological effects, and influence life satisfaction. The current study aimed to explain life satisfaction (SWL) in patients with chronic diseases, which could potentially support improved patient care.

Methods and measures: 343 chronic patients (Mean_age = 55.02; SD = 12.99), whose 270 with inflammatory arthritis (IA), and 73 with diabetes, completed an online questionnaire at two time points. Sociodemographic variables, life satisfaction, basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration, anxiety, depression, mindfulness skills, and beliefs about medicines were assessed. Descriptive statistics and correlations between variables were first performed. Then simple and finally multiple linear regressions were used to test predictors of SWL in patients living with chronic illness.

Results: Almost all study variables were significantly correlated with life satisfaction in the expected directions. Results showed that satisfaction and frustration of autonomy need and depressive symptoms were the most significant predictors of life satisfaction in this sample of chronic patients.

Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of taking an integrative approach, and considering the psychological factors associated with chronic illness. Recommendations for patient care are proposed, based on the study results.

Keywords: basic psychological needs; beliefs about medicines; chronic diseases; mindfulness; satisfaction with life.