The emotion of gratitude as a mediator between subjective happiness, positive and negative affect and satisfaction with life in Spanish adults / La emoción de gratitud como mediadora entre la felicidad subjetiva, el afecto positivo y negativo y la satisfacción con la vida en adultos españoles

El presente estudio investigó si la satisfacción con la vida se predice a partir de la felicidad subjetiva, afectos positivos y negativos, alteración psicológica y emociones de gratitud y si la emoción de gratitud está mediando la relación con la felicidad subjetiva, los afectos y la satisfacción con la vida. Se hicieron correlación de Pearson, pruebas de regresión lineal múltiple y modelos de mediación en una muestra de 1537 adultos españoles, 73.6% mujeres y 26.4% hombres, edad 18-88 años (M = 42.56 años; DT = 16.29). Se halló que las emociones de gratitud median la relación entre felicidad subjetiva y satisfacción con la vida y entre los afectos positivos y la satisfacción con la vida. Los afectos positivos son los que más se relacionan con la satisfacción con la vida, seguidos por la felicidad subjetiva y las emociones de gratitud. Los hombres están más satisfechos con la vida cuando sienten menos afecto negativo. Además, las emociones de gratitud median la relación entre felicidad subjetiva y satisfacción con la vida y entre los afectos positivos y la satisfacción con la vida. La diferencia principal radica en que las emociones de gratitud son más fuertes en las mujeres que en los hombres.(AU)

This study aims to examine the predictability of satisfaction with life on the basis of subjective happiness, positive and negative affect, psy-chological disturbance and emotion of gratitude. It also seeks to assess whether the emotion of gratitude is a mediating variable withsubjective happiness, affect, and satisfaction with life. Statistical analyses of Pearson'scorrelation, multiple linear regression tests, and mediation models were conducted on asample of 1537 Spanish adults, 73.6% were females, 26.4% males, age between 18-88 yearsold (M = 42.56; SD = 16.29). The emo-tions of gratitude were found to mediate therelationship between subjec-tive happiness and satisfaction with life and between positiveaffect and satisfaction with life. Of the variables studied, positive affect is the most related tosatisfaction with life, followed by subjective happiness and emo-tions of gratitude. Maleparticipants are more satisfied with life when they feel the less negative affect. Regardingmediation models, emotions of grat-itude mediate the relationship between subjectivehappiness and satisfac-tion with life and between positive affect and satisfaction with life. Themaindifferenceis thatemotions of gratitudearestronger infemalesthan in males.(AU)

Sexual Well-Being and Aging Patterns: Findings of a Cluster Analysis among Older Adults in Portugal and Spain.

OBJECTIVES: From a cross-cultural perspective, aging well may encompass pertinent challenges in terms of adjustment, sexual well-being, and satisfaction with life in the late years. Considering the paucity of empirical data concerning cultural diversity of experiencing aging, this study aims to help fill this gap by assessing the specific patterns of sexual satisfaction, adjustment to aging (AtA), and life satisfaction with life (SwL) of older adults in Portugal and Spain. METHODS: This cross-national study included 326 older adults, age 65 and older, from Portugal and Spain. Five instruments were applied: (a) Adjustment to Aging Scale (ATAS); (b) Satisfaction with Life Scale (SwLS); (c) New Sexual Satisfaction Scale-Short (NSSS-S); (d) Mini-Mental State Exam; and (e) Sociodemographic, Health and Lifestyle questionnaire. K-means cluster analysis was employed to identify and characterize the clusters considering adjustments to aging, sexual satisfaction, and life satisfaction. One-way ANOVAs were conducted to analyze differences in sexual well-being among clusters. RESULTS: Findings indicated three clusters, which explained 77.7% (R-sq = 0.777) of the total variance: Cluster 1: "Most skilled" (n = 26, 8.0%), Cluster 2: "Least adjusted" (n = 115, 35.3%), and Cluster 3: "Aging strivers" (n = 185, 56.7%). Participants in Cluster 1 were mostly Portuguese, with high levels of AtA, sexual satisfaction, and SWL. Conversely, Cluster 2 included mostly Portuguese participants with moderate sexual satisfaction and lower levels of AtA and SwL. Participants from Cluster 3 were mostly Spanish, with moderate levels of AtA and reduced sexual satisfaction and SwL. CONCLUSIONS: This study innovates by exploring the elaborate interplay among sexual satisfaction, AtA, and SwL in a cross-cultural perspective, with implications for tailoring interventions, service planning, development, and evaluation of culturally diverse older populations.

Life Satisfaction Trajectories and Associated Factors in Middle-Aged and Older Mexican Adults.

BACKGROUND: Given the importance of understanding psychosocial well-being as part of aging characteristics and processes, the present study aimed to describe life satisfaction among middle-aged and older adults in Mexico, according to sociodemographic, economic, psychosocial, and health factors. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), a longitudinal, nationally representative survey of adults aged 50 years and older. Data from the 2012, 2015, and 2018 waves were analyzed for this study. Life satisfaction in the MHAS is assessed using the Spanish version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). For the construction of the trajectories over six years of follow-up, quartiles of the scale were calculated for each wave. Multinomial regression models were then estimated to determine significant factors associated with each trajectory. RESULTS: A total of 8,376 individuals aged 50 years and older met our study criteria for complete data in the three follow-up waves. Four life satisfaction trajectories were identified over six years of follow-up: high-constant, high-low, low-high, and low-constant. Subjective or psychosocial characteristics such as depressive symptoms, self-reported health, and functional ability were highly significant factors associated with life satisfaction trajectories, while multimorbidity was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: This research contributes to the understanding of psychosocial well-being in Mexican older adults by exploring life satisfaction trajectories and their associated factors. The study shows that psychosocial and economic factors, along with functional abilities, have a much greater impact on life satisfaction, beyond the presence of comorbidity.

Effectiveness of meditation on wellness management among corporate employees in India: An interventional study.

Background and Aims: Urban corporate sector relies heavily on workplace well-being, with meditation being a potent stress reduction method that significantly enhances the quality of life (QoL) and wellness. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of meditation on wellness management among corporate employees in India. Methods: The quasi-experimental controlled study design was employed from May to June 2021, which assessed stress, QoL, and wellness indices (satisfaction with life, well-being) with meditation practice as the intervention. The online questionnaire incorporates questions from the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, World Health Organization (WHO) QoL Scale, Five-item Satisfaction with Life scale and WHO-5 Well-being Index. A nonrandom sampling technique selected 146 and 74 subjects in the intervention and control groups, respectively, among the employees of Star health- and allied insurance company. The data was analyzed using SPSS V27 (©IBM SPSS Statistics). The Wilcoxon signed rank test for the dependent groups, and Mann-Whitney U test for the independent groups (between subjects) was performed. Results: Among a total of 220 subjects who enrolled in the recruitment survey, 146 subjects underwent the intervention thus providing a response rate of 66.4%. For the intervention group, the difference (within group) in mean scores between baseline and endline assessment shows a reduction in stress (0.02) and significant improvement in QoL (0.21) and wellness indices (satisfaction with life: 0.21, well-being: 0.24). The difference (between the experimental and control groups) in mean endline scores shows a decrease in stress (0.07), an increase in wellness indices (satisfaction with life: 0.12, well-being: 0.23), and a significant change in the QoL (0.17). Conclusion: Meditation intervention in corporate wellness programs enhances the QoL, wellness, and stress management, establishing the effectiveness of health profile-raising ingenuities at the workplace.

Urban regrets (Unhappy metros: Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS)).

This is the first study of urban-rural happiness gradient using multi-item Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). A new finding is that urbanites fail especially on "If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing"-urban way of life tends to result in regrets. Effect sizes of urbanicity on subjective wellbeing (SWB) are substantial-about half of health-living in a metro depresses one's happiness as much as going half way from fair health to poor health, for instance.

Religion and Satisfaction with Life in Polish Seniors: Mediation by Forgiveness and Hope.

This study examined the mediating role of forgiveness and hope in the relationship between religiousness and satisfaction with life in late adults in Poland. Participants were 237 people (165 females and 72 males) aged between 60 and 92. The mean age of the sample was 68.37 years (SD = 6.92), and the most represented religious affiliation was Roman Catholic (98.3%). Satisfaction with life is related to the centrality of religiousness. In the surveyed seniors, hope and tendency to forgive mediated the relationship between the centrality of religiousness and satisfaction with life.

Emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, depression and anxiety, and satisfaction with life among emerging adults in Israel and India: the impact of gender and individualism/collectivism.

Much research has focused on how emotional and spiritual intelligences promote well-being and help combat mental health issues. This comparative study, which was conducted in Israel and India with emerging adults enrolled in higher education, explored the relationship of emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, anxiety and depression, and satisfaction with life. The results in Israel showed a positive correlation of emotional intelligence with satisfaction with life, but in India, only spiritual intelligence correlated positively with satisfaction with life. In both groups, female participants scored higher on all variables than male participants. We offer initial explanations for these results.

Depression and anxiety as predictors of performance status and life satisfaction in older adult neurological patients: a cross-sectional cohort study.

Neurological disorders are one of the leading causes of disability globally. Studies emphasise that the course and effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions may be influenced by emotional factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with neurological disorders and examine whether depression and tendency to respond with anxiety are predictors of disability in these patients. The study included 229 individuals with neurological disorders aged over 55. Our findings show that stroke patients are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and are more likely to display trait anxiety as compared with patients with other neurological disorders. Advanced age, female sex, low level of education and the presence of trait anxiety are associated with a higher severity of depressive symptoms. Stroke survivors have significantly poorer ECOG performance scores and are more likely to be incapable for work. Both depression and trait anxiety are significant predictors of neurological patients' performance status, and the presence of depressive symptoms is a determinant of these patients' level of satisfaction with life. An understanding of psychological risk factors for poorer performance status in individuals with neurological disorders will make it possible to plan prophylactic interventions in order to minimise negative health impacts and facilitate access to mental health facilities.

Intergenerational Solidarity During Emerging Adulthood: Associations with Psychological Distress and Satisfaction with Life in Southern Europe.

Background: Intergenerational solidarity between parents and emerging adult offspring requires more substantial attention at the present time. Changing demographic structures and transformations in family dynamics over recent decades have increased both opportunities and the need for parent-child interactions and exchanges of support and affection during emerging adulthood. Purpose: The study had two aims: first, to explore patterns in intergenerational solidarity in accordance with different sociodemographic characteristics of emerging adults; and second, to analyse associations between intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults' psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Methods: Participants were 644 emerging adult university students from Southern Europe (Spain and Portugal), aged between 18 and 29 years, who completed a self-report questionnaire designed to assess variables linked to sociodemographic aspects (gender, country of residence, sexual orientation, living status, family income), intergenerational solidarity, psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Results: The results indicated some differences in intergenerational solidarity patterns in accordance with a range of sociodemographic characteristics. They also revealed significant associations between intergenerational solidarity dimensions and emerging adults' satisfaction with life and psychological distress. Moreover, affective solidarity was found to fully mediate the relationship between associational, functional and normative solidarity and emerging adults' adjustment. In the case of conflictual solidarity, affective solidarity was found to partially mediate the relationship between this dimension of intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults' distress and to fully mediate the relationship between this same dimension and emerging adults' satisfaction with life. Conclusion: The results indicate that it is important to take sociodemographic diversity into account when exploring relationships between emerging adults and their parents. They also suggest that affective solidarity acts as a protective factor in promoting emerging adults' adjustment.

Differences in trajectories of quality of life according to type of dementia: 6-year longitudinal findings from the IDEAL programme.

BACKGROUND: People with different types of dementia may have distinct symptoms and experiences that affect their quality of life. This study investigated whether quality of life varied across types of dementia and over time. METHODS: The participants were 1555 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and 1327 carers from the IDEAL longitudinal cohort study, recruited from clinical services. As many as possible were followed for up to 6 years. Diagnoses included were Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, mixed Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia. Self- and informant-rated versions of the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease scale were used. A joint model, incorporating a mixed effects model with random effects and a survival model to account for dropout, was used to examine whether quality of life varied by dementia type at the time of diagnosis and how trajectories changed over time. RESULTS: The strongest associations between dementia type and quality of life were seen around the time of diagnosis. For both self-ratings and informant ratings, people with Parkinson's disease dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies had lower quality of life scores. Over time there was little change in self-rated scores across all dementia types (- 0.15 points per year). Informant-rated scores declined over time (- 1.63 points per year), with the greatest decline seen in ratings by informants for people with dementia with Lewy bodies (- 2.18 points per year). CONCLUSIONS: Self-rated quality of life scores were relatively stable over time whilst informant ratings showed a steeper decline. People with Parkinson's disease dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies report particularly low levels of quality of life, indicating the importance of greater attention to the needs of these groups.

Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the English Version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) for Non-Native English Speakers.

This cross-cultural study seeks to (a) investigate the internal structure of the English version of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) when administered to non-native English speakers (i.e., Asian individuals and (b) test for measurement invariance with its Italian counterpart). The whole sample comprises 338 participants, including 167 Asian international university students residing in the United States (50.3% females; Mage = 23.82, SD = 3.78) and 171 Italian university students living in Italy (69.6% females; Mage = 22.38, SD = 4.24). The dimensionality of the scale is assessed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA) is employed to examine measurement invariance. The results confirm the one-dimensionality of the SWLS [χ2 = 9.815; df = 5; CFI = 0.989; TLI = 0.977; SRMR = 0.027]. Furthermore, achieving full strict invariance indicates that the SWLS items exhibit similar structures across both samples. The scale shows satisfactory internal reliability (α = 0.863, ω = 0.866). Overall, this study supports the cross-validity of the English version of the SWLS and underscores its robustness and suitability for assessing life satisfaction among non-native English speakers.

Perceptions of Adulthood and Mental Health.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to conventional definitions, the contemporary conceptualization of adulthood emphasizes psychological characteristics over sociodemographic milestones. At the same time, an increasing number of theorists propose that the way individuals view adulthood may have a significant impact on the mental health of both adolescents and adults. However, empirical examination of this hypothesis has been notably limited to date. The aim of this study is to explore the association between individuals' perceptions of adulthood and multiple dimensions of mental health. METHOD: This study applied some adulthood markers and multiple mental health indexes (including well-being, optimism, Alexithymia, satisfaction with life, Goldberg's index of mental health, the dark triad, and dimensional personality disorders) to a community sample comprising 1772 individuals in Spain, spanning ages from 16 to 93 years. RESULTS: The findings support the overarching hypothesis, as perceptions of adulthood display strong correlations with nearly every assessed index of mental health, particularly those that comprise a dimension of negative emotions. These associations persist even after accounting for age and socio-economic status, and in alignment with the psychological paradigm of adulthood, they show a notable consistency across various age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes that such perceptions of adulthood represent a modifiable factor contributing to positive mental health. The implications of these findings for the formulation of public policies aimed at promoting mental health in the context of adulthood, as well as a number of future studies, are deliberated.

The relationship between satisfaction with life, dietary attitude, and comfort level in hemodialysis patients: Analysis with machine learning approach.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis (HD) patients have become a serious public health problem, the number of which is increasing every year worldwide. This study aimed to determine the relationship between satisfaction with life, dietary attitude, and comfort level in patients receiving HD treatment. METHODS: This research was conducted in a relational cross-sectional descriptive design. The research was conducted with 174 patients (85% of the population) receiving HD treatment between March 20 and September 30, 2023. In the study, hierarchical regression analysis was performed with SPSS 25.0. Machine learning analysis and prediction were performed using R programming language, version 4.1.3. RESULTS: The model used to determine the factors affecting satisfaction with life was significant and usable (F(2,171) = 25.855, p = 0.001). Attitudes of HD patients toward dietary therapy and their HD comfort levels together explained 22.3% of the total variance of satisfaction with life. In the regression model, according to the results of the t-test regarding the significance of the regression coefficient, the increase in the HD comfort levels of the participants (t = 2.668, p = 0.008) and the increase in the attitude of the HD patients toward dietary therapy (t = 5.897, p = 0.001) caused a statistical increase in "satisfaction with life." According to Shapley values, the most important variable in the prediction of satisfaction with life variable is attitude for the dietary attitude. CONCLUSION: It was determined that the increase in the comfort levels of HD patients and their positive dietary attitudes increased satisfaction with life. It is recommended to provide education to increase patients' diet attitudes and comfort levels.

Parental Perceptions of the Impact of a Child's Complex Chronic Condition: A Validation Study of the Impact on Family Scale.

The diagnosis of a child's complex chronic illness may impact family relationships and cohesion. The Impact on Family Scale (IFS) is an instrument used to assess the parental perception of the effects of children's chronic illness on family life. With a sample of 110 mothers and fathers between the ages of 29 and 50 who have a child with a complex chronic illness, we examine evidence of the validity of the IFS for use in Portugal within this specific family configuration, (1) comparing its factor structure with the original one; (2) assessing its reliability; and (3) evaluating its relationship with life satisfaction and family cohesion/acceptance. As expected, CFA analysis showed that IFS is a one-factor reliable instrument with 12 items (Cronbach's alpha = 0.910), which are negatively correlated with satisfaction with life (r = -0.229, p = 0.016) and positively correlated with family acceptance and cohesion (r = 0.363; p < 0.001). The results support the validity of the IFS in families with children and adolescents with a complex chronic illness. The implications of the use of this instrument for research and professional practice is analyzed.

Adherence to sleep recommendations is associated with higher satisfaction with life among Norwegian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Sleep plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of adolescents; however, inadequate sleep is frequently reported in numerous countries. This current paper aimed to describe sleep duration, factors impacting sleep, consequences of insufficient sleep and satisfaction with life in Norwegian adolescents, stratified by sex and by adherence to the 8-hour sleep recommendation, and to examine potential associations between adherence to the 8-hours sleep recommendation and satisfaction with life. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Norwegian Ungdata Survey, collected in 2021. Adolescents from five Norwegian counties were included, comprising a total of 32,161 upper secondary school students. Study variables were collected through an electronic questionnaire administered during school hours and all data are anonymous. Descriptive data of sleep patterns are presented, and linear regressions were conducted adjusting for SES, perceived stress, physical activity level, over-the-counter analgesics use, grade level and screen time. RESULTS: 73% of adolescents did not adhere to the 8-hours of sleep recommendation per night, with similar results for girls and boys. 64% reported tiredness at school (minimum 1-2 days weekly) and 62% reported that screen time negatively affected their ability to sleep. 23% reported that gaming affected their sleep, with a higher prevalence in boys than girls. Satisfaction with life score was 7.0 ± 1.9 points (out of 10) for the total sample, with higher scores for boys (7.3 ± 1.8 points) than girls (6.9 ± 1.9 points). Regressions revealed a positive association with satisfaction with life (B = 0.31, 95% [0.15 to 0.48]) in adolescents adhering to sleep recommendation of 8h compared to the ones not adhering to the sleep recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Most Norwegian adolescents fail to adhere to the 8-hours of sleep recommendation and the majority feel tired at school or during activities. More than half of adolescents reported that screen time negatively affected their ability to sleep. Adhering to the sleep recommendation was associated with higher life satisfaction. Our findings highlight the importance of sufficient sleep in adolescents, while future research is needed to examine other sleep related measures on adolescents´ satisfaction with life.

Subjective Well-Being Population Norms and Inequalities in Hungary: A Large Cross-Sectional, Internet-Based Survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide subjective well-being (SWB) population norms in Hungary and explore the contribution of explanatory factors of SWB inequality among the Hungarian adult general population. METHODS: The data originated from a large representative internet-based cross-sectional survey in Hungary, which was conducted in 2020. We applied validated multi-item instruments for measuring SWB, namely Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between demographic-socioeconomic-health status and both well-being instruments. The concentration index (CI) was used to measure the degree of income-related inequality in well-being. RESULTS: A total of 2001 respondents were enrolled with the means ± SD WHO-5 scores and SWLS scores of 0.51 ± 0.21 and 0.51 ± 0.23, respectively. Higher household income, higher educational level, better general health status, and absence of chronic morbidity were significant positive predictors for both WHO-5 and SWLS scores. The CI of WHO-5 scores was lower than that of SWLS scores in the total sample (0.0480 vs 0.0861) and in subgroups by gender (male, 0.0584 vs 0.1035; female, 0.0302 vs 0.0726). The positive CI values implied a slight pro-rich SWB inequality in this population. The regression analyses showed a positive association of SWB with having a higher household income and a better general health status. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first representative study in Hungary to compare population norm of 2 well-being instruments and analyze well-being inequality. Slight pro-rich inequality was found consistently with both SWB measures. Our findings support the need for health and social policies that effectively tackle inequalities in Hungary.

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health in Substance Use Disorders: A 6-Year Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal cohort study aims to investigate the relationship between self-reported childhood maltreatment (CM) and the retrospective trajectory of substance use, mental health, and satisfaction with life in individuals with substance use disorders. METHODS: One hundred eleven treatment-seeking individuals with substance use disorder were recruited from clinical settings and monitored prospectively for 6 years. The participants' substance use, mental health, and satisfaction with life were assessed using standardized measures. Cluster analysis divided the cohort into two groups-low CM and high CM-based on their scores on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form at year 6. Mixed-effects linear models were fitted to assess the association between longitudinal scores on drug use, mental health, and satisfaction with life and CM group. RESULTS: Most participants (92%) reported at least 1 CM. Out of all participants, 36% were categorized into the high-CM group, while 59% were categorized into the low-CM group. CM group was not associated with the amount of substance or alcohol use. CM group was significantly associated with the longitudinal course of mental health and life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the association between self-reported CM and mental health and life satisfaction in patients with substance use disorder. Our results may imply an increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with high levels of CM, while bearing in mind that both current and retrospective mental health and substance use problems can influence the accuracy of recalling CM.

Caregiver and parent-child relationship during COVID-19: The mediator role of anxiety and life satisfaction.

AIM: This research was conducted to evaluate the mediation effect of anxiety and life satisfaction on the relationship between Care burden and Parent Child Relationship in Turkish parents during the COVID-19 epidemic. METHODS: The research was carried out with parents (221 women and 219 men) who have children between the ages of 6-18 living in Turkey. Data were collected in June-July 2021 using the demographic data form, "Care Burden Scale," "Pervasive Anxiety Disorder-7 Test," "Satisfaction with Life Scale," and "Parent Child Relationship Scale." Path analysis was used to analyse the relationships. In this study, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the path analysis. RESULTS: It was found that the burden of care and anxiety of the parents and the parent-child conflict relationship were positively correlated and negatively correlated with the life satisfaction and parent-child closeness relationship (p < 0.05). Path model analyses revealed that the burden of care had a direct effect on anxiety and life satisfaction, and an indirect effect on the parent-child relationship, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It shows that parents' perceptions of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting their mental health have implications for parent and child well-being, with stronger relationships for low-income families. Anxiety and life satisfaction had a mediating effect between care burden and parent-child relationship. Given the demonstrable impact of COVID-19 on the parent-child relationship, this study may guide the planning of coping strategies and programmes focused on mental health.

People with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis benefit from a complex preventative intervention-a single group prospective study with follow up.

Background: Newly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis frequently report fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety. Preventative programmes may be beneficial, but there is limited evidence of their effectiveness, especially long-term follow-up. Methods: The programme consisted of 6-month face to face intervention (an introductory workshop, psychology-led group sessions and individual physical therapy) followed by 6-month self-guided therapy. Outcome measures were taken at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Primary outcomes measures were self-report questionnaires for fatigue, satisfaction with life and disease acceptance. Secondary outcomes were spirometry, spiroergometric parameters and neuroactive steroid levels. Results: From 22 participants enrolled, 17 completed the first 6 months and 13 the follow-up. Fatigue measured on the Fatigue scale for motor and cognitive functions decreased significantly at 6 months (p = 0.035) and at follow-up (p = 0.007). The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (p = 0.035) and Satisfaction With Life Scale (p = 0.007) significantly increased at follow-up. Spirometry, spiroergometric parameters, steroid hormones and neuroactive steroids levels did not change significantly. Conclusion: This programme reduces fatigue and improves satisfaction with life in this patient group with improvements sustained at 12 months. People who participated more frequently showed greater benefit. Clinical rehabilitation impact: The paper describes the effects of a complex preventative intervention for people with newly diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis. The study found that this programme reduces fatigue and improves satisfaction with life with long-term benefit (at 12-month follow up). The individuals who participated less frequently experienced fewer benefits.

Investigation of Health-Related Quality of Life, Anxiety and Satisfaction in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.

BACKGROUND: Features of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety may be present in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients, along with impaired quality of life (QoL). We aim to evaluate health-related QoL, anxiety and satisfaction with life in patients with PE. METHODS: Patients with PE were enrolled during their follow-up. All participants completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) X1 and X2 forms, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: 92 PE patients were included (mean age ± SD = 62.50 ± 15.33 years, 56.5% males). The median values of the SF-36 subscales were below the corresponding values of the Greek general population (besides the mental health (MH) subscale). Mean STAIX1 levels were 37.05 ± 11.17 and mean STAIX2 levels were 39.80 ± 10.47. Mean SWLS levels were 23.31 ± 6.58. According to multiple linear regression analysis, the MH and general health subscales were predictive of SWLS levels (F (10.76) = 10.576, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.581). The MH score (ß = -0.242, p < 0.01) and STAIX1 level (ß = 0.312, p < 0.001) (F (9.77) = 26.445, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.756) were predictive of STAIX2. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PE exhibit slight satisfaction with life, borderline anxiety and impaired HRQoL.