Abstract
BackgroundThe study of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important topic in mental health around the globe. However, there is the need for more evidence about the cumulative influence of psychological variables on HRQOL. The main aim of the study was to evaluate how specific personality traits might explain scores in HRQOL and to explore how this relationship might be mediated by coping styles and psychological distress.MethodsYoung Colombian subjects (N = 274) were included (mean age: 21.3; SD = 3.8). The Short-Form Health Survey was used to measure HRQOL. For assessment of psychological variables, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations and the short version of Big Five Inventory were used.ResultsThe personality trait that was the best predictor of HRQOL was openness to experience, forming an explanatory model for HRQOL, along with emotional coping style and depressive and anxious symptoms. Emotional coping style and psychological distress were significant mediators of the relationship between openness and HRQOL.ConclusionsOur findings provide additional data about the cumulative influence of specific psychological variables on HRQOL, in a mostly young female Latin American sample.
Highlights
The study of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important topic in mental health around the globe
Research has shown that a lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a poor mental health in young adults; this relationship can be explained by several risk factors, such as disadvantageous work
In this work, in a sample of young Colombian subjects, we tested the hypothesis that specific personality traits might explain scores in HRQOL and that this relationship might be mediated by coping styles and psychological distress
Summary
The study of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important topic in mental health around the globe. Young people in South American countries are exposed to many vulnerabilities, such as inadequate access to education and social and health services, high rates of violence and a relatively easy access to drugs [7]. These susceptibilities might have important impacts on mental health [8], given the fact that psychosocial vulnerabilities during youth have been shown to have shortand long-term implications for the individuals and the society [8]. In terms of adaptation and coping, the emotional and cognitive evaluations of life satisfaction are important factors for understanding HRQOL [9]. Coping strategies are used to manage the emotional consequences
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