(222) - Predictors of satisfaction with life in a chronic low-back pain population

Abstract

A growing body of research has shown a multitude of psychological and physiological factors to play a key role in the daily experience of those suffering from chronic low-back pain (CLBP). The current study aimed to identify predictors of satisfaction with life in a population of participants in a treatment study for CLBP (n = 264, Females = 129, mean age = 40.69, SD = 12.03). The 5-item satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) was selected as our variable of interest and multiple linear regression analyses were performed with a cross-sectional data set, using a forward stepwise iterative model selection algorithm. The model was trained on 70% of the total data set and later tested with the remaining 30% of the total data. Significant overall effects were found [F(3, 167) = 46.43, P < .0001, R2 = .445] from a multiple regression analysis on SWLS being predicted by number of household dependents (NHD) [b = .809, t(167) = 2.140, P < .05], single-item self-esteem (SISE) sores [b = 1.216, t(167) = 3.377, P < .001], and PROMIS global mental health (PGMH) scores [b = .395, t(167) 6.504, P < .0001]. Testing the model on the retained data set resulted in a non-significant difference between predicted scores and actual scores (RMSE = 5.875; t(73).00006, P < .999; R2 = .642). The results of this study add to a growing literature emphasizing the multifactorial nature of the experience of those suffering from CLBP. Importantly, the described model sheds light on less researched topics in CLBP populations, showing that measures such as NHD, SISE, and PGMH play key roles in SWLS more so than other intuitive measures (e.g., pain intensity). Future studies are encouraged to expand the model with longitudinal and daily measures.