Health-related Life Satisfaction Research Articles

Do age, gender, and subjective health-related factors influence health-related life satisfaction in people with disabilities who are physically active?: a secondary analysis.

This study explored the factors influencing the health-related life satisfaction of people with disabilities who engaged in physical activity, by age and gender. A secondary analysis was conducted of the 2020 Third Disability and Life Dynamics Panel (2021). The participants were 2,796 people who performed regular physical activity at least once a week. The variables selected were disability-related factors (degree of disability, multiple disabilities, and type of disability), sociodemographic factors (age, gender, living alone, and mean monthly family income), and health-related factors (amount of physical activity, self-esteem, depression, chronic disease, subjective health, and health-related life satisfaction). Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, the t-test, two-way analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were conducted. In total, 58.0% of participants were male, and 42.0% were female. For age groups, 14.4% were children/adolescents (0-19 years), 42.6% were adults (20-59 years), and 43.0% were seniors (≥60 years). The mean score for health-related life satisfaction was 5.0±2.15 out of 10. Adults and seniors whose level of physical activity met or exceeded recommendations had higher subjective health. Moreover, men had better subjective health than women in seniors. Health-related life satisfaction was higher among those who had higher self-esteem, were not depressed, did not have chronic diseases, and had better subjective health. Gender significantly influenced health-related life satisfaction in children/ adolescents and seniors. Disability-related factors were significant in adults, and health-related factors were significant in all age groups. Therefore, these factors should be considered when designing interventions to promote subjective health and health-related life satisfaction of people with disabilities.

Life Satisfaction and Quality of Life in AML Long-Term Survivors: Primary Results of the AMLCG-Survivorship Study

Introduction An increasing proportion of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) become long-term survivors (AML-LTS). Somatic and psycho-social outcomes are therefore becoming increasingly important, but little is known about the long-term effects of the disease and its treatment. Methods We designed a comprehensive analysis of AML survivorship outcomes including psycho-social well-being and somatic health status, and conducted a questionnaire-based study collecting data from long term survivors and their physicians. This report focuses on general and health-related life satisfaction (gLS/hrLS, measured by the FLZ-M questionnaire). Compared to quality of life (QoL), LS takes into consideration the subjective importance of various areas of life, and the participant's satisfaction with each. Impact of anxiety and depression, incidence of secondary cancer as well as clonal hematopoiesis are reported separately (Görlich et al, Moret et al, Krauss et al). We compared LS of AML-LTS with normative data of German adults not diagnosed with AML. Participants' FLZ-M scores were standardized relative to age- and sex-stratified normal population means and standard deviations. Results 427 former AML patients who had been enrolled in AMLCG clinical trials (AMLCG-1999/-2004/ -2008) or the AMLCG patient registry participated in this study between 5 and 18.6 years [y] after their initial AML diagnosis (median, 11.3y). Median age of AML-LTS was 61y (range 28y-93y), and 56% were female. Thirty-eight percent of participants had been treated with chemotherapy alone, while 62% received at least one allogeneic stem cell transplant (HSCT). A relapse had occurred in 24% of participants. Unexpectedly, the gLS summary score (median, .12) was significantly higher in AML-LTS (p<.001) compared to controls (median, 0), although differences were small (95%CI .03 - .32) and very likely not clinically relevant (difference and CI < 1SD). No significant difference was found for health-related life satisfaction (hrLS). Looking at LS subscales, AML-LTS reported significantly lower satisfaction with hobbies (median, -.24), fitness (median, -.18) and composure (median, -.41), but higher satisfaction with finances (median, .36), living situation (median, .10), family life (median, .37), energy (median, .04), mobility (median, .56) and independence (median, .71; all p<.003). Notably, subgroups of participants reported poor hrLS (>1SD below control mean; 17.5%) or poor gLS (13.5%), while 26% reported poor overall QoL as reported previously. All three outcomes are correlated (r=.63 to .76), with the closest association observed between QoL and hrLS (Figure A). To identify factors associated with poor LS, we fitted logistic regression models including pre-specified cofactors (age, sex, time since initial diagnosis, relapse and alloHSCT) and additional variables that associated with LS in univariate analyses. Risk of poor gLS was increased with younger age, male sex, smaller household size and income, higher depression scores and low social support (Table 1). Factors associated with poor hrLS were previous treatment with chemotherapy alone, female sex, lower number of children, high anxiety and fatigue scores, and high comorbidity burden (Table 1). Participants with higher fatigue and anxiety scores, lower social support and higher comorbidity burden reported significantly lower QoL (Table 1). No influence on QoL was found for other characteristics including treatment (HSCT vs. no HSCT), previous relapse, or AML type (p>.05). Figure A illustrates multi-dimensional associations between risk factors and psycho-social outcomes. Discussion Unlike previous studies of AML survivorship outcomes, our large cohort included a diverse spectrum of patients regarding age, time since diagnosis, and treatment modalities, which allows for new insights into long-term quality of life and life satisfaction. Our study establishes that different factors impact overall QoL and life satisfaction in AML long-term survivors. Importantly, general life satisfaction of AML long-term survivors seems not to be influenced by treatment related factors or somatic comorbidities after AML. Our data suggest AML and its treatment can have long-term psycho-social and somatic health effects, but many former patients nevertheless are satisfied with their overall life situation. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Multi-Sector Assessment and Client-Perception of Social Need at Long-Term Follow-Up of a Group-Randomized Trial of Community-Engaged Collaborative Care for Adults with Depression.

Understanding client perceptions of need for underlying social determinant support may improve services for depression care. This secondary analysis examines perceptions of “social needs” related to housing and employment, financial, and legal (EFL) concerns among individuals with depression. Data were analyzed from Community Partners in Care, a randomized comparative effectiveness trial of multi-sector collaborative care for depression among a sample of people who were predominantly racial/ethnic minorities and low-income. Adults with depression (n = 980) in both interventions were surveyed at 36-month follow-up for (1) being asked about and (2) having social needs for housing or EFL concerns. In multivariate models, life difficulty and mental health visits in non-healthcare sectors predicted being asked about housing and EFL. Lower social determinants of health-related life satisfaction increased the odds of having unmet housing and EFL needs. These findings underscore the role of non-healthcare organizations as community resources for depression care and in screening and addressing social needs.

S301: GERMAN AMLCG-SURVIVORSHIP STUDY: QUALITY OF LIFE AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN AML LONG-TERM SURVIVORS

Background: An increasing proportion of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) become long-term survivors. Somatic and psycho-social outcomes in survivors are therefore becoming increasingly important, but little is known about the long-term effects of the disease and its treatment. Aims: The primary aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QoL, measured by the FACT-G questionnaire) and general and health-related life satisfaction (gLS/hLS, measured by the FLZ-M questionnaire) of AML-LTS with normative data of German adults who were not diagnosed with AML. Methods: We designed a comprehensive analysis of AML survivorship outcomes including psycho-social well-being and somatic health status and conducted a questionnaire-based study collecting data from AML long term survivors (AML-LTS). This report focuses on overall and health-related quality of life. Somatic morbidity in AML-LTS is reported separately (Moret et al.). Results: 427 former AML patients who had been enrolled in AMLCG trials (AMLCG-1999, AMLCG-2004, AMLCG-2008) or the AMLCG patient registry, participated in this study between 5 and 18.6 years (y) after their initial AML diagnosis (median, 11.3y). Median age of AML-LTS was 61y (range 28y-93y), and 56% were female. Thirty-eight percent of participants had been treated with chemotherapy alone, while 62% received at least one allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT). A relapse occurred in 24% of the participants. Unexpectedly, age- and sex-normalized quality of life and general life satisfaction summary scores were significantly higher in AML-LTS (p<.001) compared to adults without the diagnosis of AML. Raw score points of AML-LTS on the FACT-G summary scale also were higher than in age and sex-matched normal adults by a median of 4.7 points (95% CI: 2.82 – 7.2) – a differences that likely is clinically not relevant, considering an established cutoff for clinical relevance of 7 raw score points. No difference between AML-LTS and normal adults was found for health-related life satisfaction (hLS). Using the cutoff for clinical importance (i.e., 7 points below age- and sex-matched population norm), 26.1% of participants reported relevant impairment of overall QoL. To identify factors potentially associated with poor overall QoL, we constructed a logistic regression model including pre-specified cofactors (age, sex, time since initial diagnosis, relapse and alloHSCT) and additional covariables that associated with QoL in univariate analyses (Figure 1). We found that participants with no children, lower educational level, shorter time since diagnosis and altered financial situation reported significantly lower QoL. No influence was found for disease- and treatment related factors including treatment (alloHSCT vs. no alloHSCT), previous relapse, or de novo vs secondary or therapy-related AML. Image:Summary/Conclusion: Unlike previous studies of AML survivorship, our large cohort included a diverse spectrum of patients regarding age, time since diagnosis, and treatment modalities, which allows for new insight into long-term QoL. Our study establishes that overall QoL in AML long-term survivors is comparable to the general population, with further improvement from five years post diagnosis onwards. Importantly, disease- and treatment-related factors, such as prior relapse or alloHSCT, are not associated with overall QoL. However, we were able to identify risk factors for worse QoL, delineating a subgroup of patients that may still have a need for targeted psycho-social interventions five or more years after an AML diagnosis.

Gender Differences in the Link Between Informal Caregiving and Subjective Well-Being

Despite existing evidence on the negative association between informal caregiving and caregiver’s well-being, three important knowledge gaps remain. First, the link warrants further scrutiny due to the possibility of individual heterogeneity. Second, less is known about how informal caregiving is related to caregiver’s well-being. Third, there is little consensus in the literature regarding whether caregiver’s gender matters. This study fills these gaps in the literature. Using seven waves of a large-scale, nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults in Korea between 2006 and 2018, this study employed generalized estimating equations models with a lagged dependent variable as well as fixed effects models. Findings from both models revealed that informal caregiving is negatively associated with subjective well-being, and this association is largely driven by female caregivers. To explore potential mechanisms undergirding this association, we examined the mediating roles of a number of health behaviors. We found that engaging in informal caregiving is associated with a reduction in regular exercise. Results from mediation analyses, however, suggested that regular exercise explains only a moderate amount of the observed association (12% for health-related life satisfaction and 8% for self-rated health). While informal caregiving is obviously a rewarding role, it poses a serious threat to caregiver’s well-being. Findings of this study on gender differences in the well-being consequences of informal caregiving lend support to taking a gender-conscious approach in programs aiming to improve the well-being of informal caregivers.

Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction in AML Long-Term Survivors: Primary Results of the AMLCG-Survivorship Study

IntroductionAn increasing proportion of patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) become long-term survivors. Somatic and psycho-social outcomes are therefore becoming increasingly important, but little is known about the long-term effects of the disease and its treatment.MethodsWe designed a comprehensive analysis of AML survivorship outcomes including psycho-social well-being and somatic health status and conducted a questionnaire-based study collecting data from AML long term survivors (AML-LTS) and their physicians. This report focuses on overall and health-related quality of life. Somatic, especially cardiovascular, morbidity in AML-LTS are reported separately (Moret et al.). The primary aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QoL, measured by the FACT-G questionnaire) and general and health-related life satisfaction (gLS/hLS, measured by the FLZ-M questionnaire) of AML-LTS with normative data of German adults who were not diagnosed with AML (Holzner et al. 2009; Daig et al. 2009). FLZ-M and FACT-G scores were standardized relative to the normal population mean and standard deviation, stratified by sex and age. These z-scores were then tested against the fixed value 0 (indicating no difference between AML-LTS and the general population) using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Our statistical design incorporated a sequentially rejective testing procedure to maintain the multiple testing significance level at 5%, using a graphical model as described by Bretz et al. (2009).Results427 former AML patients who had been enrolled in AMLCG trials (AMLCG-1999, AMLCG-2004, AMLCG-2008) or the AMLCG patient registry, participated in this study between 5 and 18.6 years [y] after their initial AML diagnosis (median, 11.3y). Median age of AML-LTS was 61y (range 28y-93y), and 56% were female. Thirty-eight percent of participants had been treated with chemotherapy alone, while 62% received at least one allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT). A relapse occurred in 24% of the participants.Unexpectedly, quality of life and general life satisfaction summary scores were significantly higher in AML-LTS (p<.001) compared to adults without the diagnosis of AML, although most differences on QoL subscales relative to the general population were small and very likely not clinically relevant. No statistical difference between AML-LTS and normal adults was found for health-related life satisfaction (hLS).Notably, a subgroup of participants (26%) reported poor physical well-being (PWB), indicated by a FACT PWB subscore more than one standard deviation (SD) below the age- and sex-matched general population value (Figure A). This resulted in poor overall QoL (i.e. >1 SD below normal) for 13% of the participants (Figure B).To identify factors potentially associated with poor overall QoL, we constructed a logistic regression model including pre-specified cofactors (age, sex, time since initial diagnosis, relapse and alloSCT) and additional covariables that associated with QoL in univariate analyses (Table C). We found that participants with younger age, male sex, lower educational level, shorter time since diagnosis and a altered financial situation reported significantly lower QoL. No influence was found for other characteristics including treatment (alloSCT vs. no alloSCT), previous relapse, or de novo vs. secondary or therapy-related AML.DiscussionUnlike previous studies of AML survivorship, our large cohort included a diverse spectrum of patients regarding age, time since diagnosis, and treatment modalities, which allows for new insight into long-term quality of life. Our study establishes that overall QoL in AML long-term survivors is comparable to the general population. Improvement of QoL continues beyond five years post diagnosis. Importantly, disease- and treatment-related factors, such as prior relapse or status post allogeneic transplantation, are not associated with overall QoL. However, we were able to identify risk factors for worse QoL (younger age, male sex, alteration of the financial situation), delineating a subgroup of patients that may still have a need for targeted psycho-social interventions five or more years after an AML diagnosis. [Display omitted] DisclosuresBerdel: Philogen S.p.A.: Consultancy, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hiddemann: Janssen: Research Funding; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Metzeler: AbbVie: Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Health-related life satisfaction and its influencing factors: A cross-sectional study in China.

With the rapid development of science and technology, the pace of life has accelerated. Health and life satisfaction issues of persons are gaining more attention. China, Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan conducted international cooperative research on health of four regional populations. This research was a part of the study in mainland China, which aimed to explore health-related life satisfaction and its influencing factors on large samples in mainland China. A random group of 1404 persons from universities, factories, companies, and elderly centers in Changchun completed a structured questionnaire. This study centered on life satisfaction indicators, which included the current whole life, income, family relationships, peer relationships, relationships with the neighbors, living environment, personal health, family health, spare time, and housework share. Other collected data included the Body Mass Index, blood pressure, self-rated health, Breslow's seven health practices, medical treatment within the past 6 months, physical examinations, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 Scale, social activities, networking relationships with persons around the community, social support, and sociodemographic variables. Associations between life satisfaction, demographics, and health-related variables were analyzed through a multiway ANOVA. The living environment and income of Chinese persons were related to their low life satisfaction. The multiway ANOVA showed that the independent relationship of self-rated health, regular physical examinations, GHQ-12 Scale, trust in the community, communication with the neighbors, education, and age related with life satisfaction accounting for 20.3% of the variance. Education and age showed interactive effects on life satisfaction. This study identified seven factors that influenced the life satisfaction of persons in mainland China. Life satisfaction can be enhanced through interventions to improve self-rated health, regular physical examinations, mental health, trust in the community, communication with the neighbors, education, and improvement in the health service.

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as Treatment for Chronic Back Pain - an Observational Study with Assessment of Thalamocortical Dysrhythmia

Background: A pilot study of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on a sample of low back pain patients was conducted in order to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention as well as changes in an EEG pattern called thalamocortical dysrhythmia which is associated with chronic pain. Patients and Methods: 22 patients with chronic low back pain participated in an MBSR program. Effect sizes were measured for psychological functioning, pain severity, and quality of life. Furthermore, 4 parameters of the EEG power spectral density were assessed. Results: Medium size effect sizes were found for health-related quality of life (EQ-5D, VAS, d = 0.43, p = 0.02; SF-12, psychological functioning, d = 0.50, p = 0.05), health-related life satisfaction (questions on life satisfaction d = 0.69, p = 0.01), depression (HADS, d = 0.48, p = 0.04, Brief Symptom Inventory d = 0.41, p = 0.04), and affective pain perception (pain perception scale d = 0.50, p = 0.04). The most relevant pain severity measurements improved in the range of d = 0.45-0.75 (p = 0.01-0.24). EEG analyses revealed no differences between the pre- and post-intervention. Conclusion: MBSR is a feasible intervention for patients with low back pain. They benefit from medium size effects which are comparable to similar behavioral interventions. Randomized controlled trials are needed in order to determine the specificity of these benefits.

Factors influencing life satisfaction in acute myeloid leukemia survivors following allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundAllogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is the preferred option of postremission therapy for high-risk patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Therefore, monitoring life satisfaction (LS) of long-term survivors following alloSCT is becoming increasingly important for oncologists. The aim of the study was to evaluate individual survivor priority of various general and health-related domains of life and their satisfaction with these domains. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of general and health-related LS on resilience, anxiety, depression and quality of life in AML survivors following alloSCT.MethodsForty-one AML survivors (median age at time of assessment = 49.0 years) who had undergone alloSCT (median time since transplantation = 3.1 years) were enrolled in the study. Psychosocial parameters were assessed using the following instruments: FLZM (Questions on Life Satisfaction), EORTC QLQ-C30, HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and the RS-25 (Resilience Scale-25 items). Correlation analyses were computed to reveal the associations between the different questionnaires.ResultsIndependence from help or care, well-regulated living conditions and financial security contributed positively to LS, whereas being off work due to health-reasons and dissatisfaction with physical aspects were negatively associated to the subjective feelings of overall satisfaction. Moreover, a high quality of life was strongly positively correlated with LS (Spearman’s rho general LS: 0.643 and health-related LS: 0.726, both p < 0.001). A high degree of resilience was also strongly positively correlated with better LS (general LS: 0.700, health-related LS: 0.675, both p < 0.001). Symptoms of anxiety and depression were associated with an impaired general LS (anxiety: −0.674, depression: −0.698, both p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur results indicate that LS should be considered an important key contributor to the survivors’ well-being following alloSCT. Thus, identifying protective psychological and physical factors that relieve stressors is of high importance in order to support long-term AML survivors with their special needs.

Impact of Resilience, Anxiety and Depression on Quality of Life Assessment in Patients with Acute Myeloic Leukemia After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract 2088 Introduction:Quality of life (QoL) plays a very important role for the assessment of oncological treatment outcome. For the assessment of therapy strategies both survival time and quality of survival regarding physical and emotional conditions are of interest. The present cross sectional study evaluated the impact of resilience, life satisfaction, anxiety and depression on the global health status of patients having received an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Design and Methods:80 eligible patients from 26 German cancer centres fulfilling the following criteria were contacted: 1. Treatment within the AMLCG 99 trial for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Patients were randomized to receive either standard-dose Cytarabine containing TAD or high-dose Cytarabine containing HAM-HAM induction therapy, followed by TAD consolidation and HSCT when having no low-risk cytogenetics and an available family donor or high-risk cytogenetics and an unrelated donor. 2. HSCT in first complete remission at least 6 months before the questionnaire. 3. Outpatient setting at the time of the questionnaire. The multi-part questionnaire included general informations about age, gender, marital and employment status as well as validated scaled questionnaire parts. These include the QLQ-C30, the Resilience Scale RS-25, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and a questionnaire about general and health-related life satisfaction (FLZ). To ensure standardized analyses of the data, scales were summarized based on well-established scoring principles or rather linear transformed, so that scores ranged from 0 to 100. Global health status was defined as the primary objective of quality of life assessment. Results:Overall, 41 of 80 patients (51%) completed the questionnaire and were evaluable. Thus 41 patients (18 male, 23 females) aged between 23 and 66 (median 49) years at the time of data collection were included in the analysis. 66% were treated with de novo AML, 24% with secondary AML from MDS and 5% of the evaluable patients had MDS and t-AML, respectively. Median time between HSCT and questionnaire was 3.1 years (range, 8 months to 7 years). 26 patients (63%) received an HSCT from a related donor and 15 (37%) from an unrelated donor. Patients’ self-assessed high quality of life was associated with an improved resilience (r=0.538, p<0.001) and lower patients-reported anxiety (r=−0.525, p<0.001) and depression symptoms (r=−0.751, p<0.001). A higher level in general and health-related life satisfaction was also significantly associated with a higher better self-assessed quality of life (r=0.639 and r=0.718, both p<0.001). Younger patients < 60 years old had a non-significant slightly higher score in quality of life compared to older patients (median 79.2 vs. 66.7, p=0.290). No effect was seen with respect to gender, donor type or the time interval after HSCT. Marital status was not associated with a higher QoL (p=0.962), whereas employment status revealed significant differences (p=0.008). Furthermore no differences in quality of life assessment could be detected between the two induction regimens TAD / HAM (18 patients) vs. HAM / HAM (23 patients). Conclusion:The results suggest that quality of life after HSCT for AML correlates with patients' subjective assessment of emotional and physical conditions. For an effective evaluation of the quality of life assessment and the interaction with clinical parameters in AML patients, specific QoL instruments should be applied and different comparable studies should be combined in order to obtain more reliable results. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Life satisfaction in adult survivors of cancer during adolescence: what contributes to the latter satisfaction with life?

To compare the general and health-related life satisfaction (LS) in long-term survivors of adolescent cancer with a community sample and to identify medical and psychosocial factors associated with LS. LS of 820 survivors (age M = 30.4 ± 6.0 years; time since diagnosis M = 13.7 ± 6.0 years) was assessed with the Questions on Life Satisfaction (FLZ(M)) and compared to an age- and sex-matched community sample. The effects of medical, psychological, and socio-demographical factors on the survivors' general and health-related LS were investigated by means of multiple regression analyses. Survivors were significantly less satisfied than the comparison group in terms of both their general (P < .001, d = -.35) and health-related (P < .001, d = -.47) life. Somatic late effects, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and less posttraumatic growth were associated with impaired general and health-related LS. Moreover, being married contributed significantly to higher general LS. Adult survivors of cancer with onset during adolescence are experiencing less LS than the general population. Long-term routine follow-up visits are recommended to identify persisting effects of cancer survival on LS and to provide support for those with special needs. Physicians need to pay special attention to potential risk factors such as psychological distress, somatic late effects, persistent psychological distress, and a lack of posttraumatic growth, which are negatively correlated with LS.

General and health-related life satisfaction of patients with community-acquired pneumonia

When assessing the quality of care, patients' characteristics such as general and health-related life satisfaction, are of major significance. Our study examined the general and health-related life satisfaction of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). To quantify the general and health-related life satisfaction, we used the validated instrument Questions on Life SatisfactionModules by Henrich and Herschbach. CAP cases included in the German competence network on CAP (CAPNETZ) were asked to answer questions on their personal satisfaction with aspects of their life and health and on the individual importance of each addressed aspect. Data were compared with a normal population sample. In addition, several subgroup analyses were conducted. One thousand eight hundred ninty-nine (50.5%) CAP patients returned the questionnaire within a median time of 3 days. The mean age of the study sample was 55.1 ± 17.1 years, 47.0% were female. The CAP patients reported not only a lower satisfaction with health (52.1 ± 42.6 vs. 74.4 ± 41.5, p < 0.001), but also a lower general life satisfaction (55.0 ± 35.2 vs. 60.5 ± 37.3, p < 0.001) than the normative German sample. Subgroup analyses revealed a significantly impaired general life satisfaction in patients with comorbidities (52.2 ± 34.7) compared with patients without any underlying disease (58.1 ± 35.4, p = 0.001). A non-significant lower general life satisfaction (53.3 ± 35.1 vs. 57.0 5 ± 35.2, p = 0.052) as well as a lower health-related life satisfaction (49.25 ± 42.0 vs. 55.3 ± 43.0, p = 0.602) could be observed in men compared with those in women. Patients aged 65 years and older and patients with a severe CAP reported a lower health-related life satisfaction, but a higher general life satisfaction than younger patients or patients with mild CAP. The lower general life satisfaction observed in patients with CAP was found to reflect comorbidity rather than the effects of the pneumonia itself.

Life satisfaction of adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis: Impact of partnership and gender

Background This is the first study to assess the impact of gender and partnership on life satisfaction in adolescents and adults with CF, using a model combining subjective importance and satisfaction ratings. Methods Life satisfaction of 243 CF patients (16–58 years, M = 29.6, SD = 7.4, 46.9% male) was assessed with the Questions on Life Satisfaction (FLZ M). The effects of gender and partnership on life satisfaction were calculated. Results Significantly less males than females reported living with a partner ( χ 2 = 16.5, p < 001). Gender only had a significant effect on health-related life satisfaction, with females reporting worse life satisfaction. Partnership had small to large effects on general, health-related and CF-specific life satisfaction ( η 2 = .049–.144). Participants with partners always reported higher life satisfaction than those without partner. However, no significant interaction effect of partnership and gender could be shown. Conclusions Having a partner is associated with higher life satisfaction, regardless of the patient's gender and might have beneficial effects on medical outcomes.

Life satisfaction decreases during adolescence

Adolescence is a developmental phase associated with significant somatic and psychosocial changes. So far there are few studies on developmental aspects of life satisfaction. This cross-sectional study examines the effects of age and gender on adolescent's life satisfaction. 1,274 German adolescents (aged 11-16 years) participated in a school-based survey study. They completed the adolescent version of the Questions on Life Satisfaction (FLZ(M) - Fragen zur Lebenszufriedenheit), a multidimensional instrument measuring the subjective importance and satisfaction with eight domains of general and eight domains of health-related life satisfaction. Effects of gender and age were analysed using ANOVAs. Girls reported significantly lower general (F = 5.0; p = .025) and health-related life satisfaction (F = 25.3; p < .001) compared to boys. In both genders and across nearly all life domains, there was a significant decrease in general (F = 14.8; p < .001) and health-related life satisfaction (F = 8.0; p < .001) between 11 and 16 years. Satisfaction with friends remained on a high level, whereas satisfaction with family relations decreased. Only satisfaction with partnership/sexuality increased slightly, however this effect cannot compensate the general loss of satisfaction. Decreasing life satisfaction has to be considered as a developmental phenomenon. Associations with the increasing prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation during adolescence are discussed. Life satisfaction should be considered a relevant aspect of adolescent's well-being and functioning.

Lebenszufriedenheit transsexueller Patienten nach geschlechtsangleichenden Operationen

More and more frequently, the registration of life satisfaction is being used to evaluate different medical treatments. So far, there have been only few such surveys on transsexuals (TS). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the general and the health-related life satisfaction of transsexuals after gender transformation operations. Forty patients took part in this German cross-sectional study. The Questions on Life Satisfaction Module (FLZ) and free questions on different aspects of the new gender identity were used as measuring instruments. Of the TS studied, 85-95% were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the results of their gender transformation operation in respect to gender identity. The TS were significantly less satisfied (P>0.001) in overall "general life satisfaction" than the general population. In overall FLZ scores for "health-related life satisfaction", no differences were seen. These data indicate a discrepancy between subjective satisfaction with new gender identity and current life situation, and they identify problems with life satisfaction.

General and health related life satisfaction of patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP): Results of a case-control-study from CAPNETZ

Introduction: Psychosocial factors have an important impact on the development and the course of different diseases. Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most common potential fatal infectious disease in western industrialised countries. However, comprehensive data for Germany including life satisfaction of patients with CAP are not available. Therefore we have investigated within CAPNETZ, a competence network supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), whether CAP-cases differ from healthy people in terms of there general and health-related life satisfaction.

Alternative medicine and allergies: Life satisfaction, health locus of control and quality of life

Objective Little is known on psychosocial characteristics of subjects with allergies who use or do not use alternative medicine (AM). We aimed to assess health-related quality of life (QoL), life satisfaction and health locus of control of adults with allergies and to compare users and nonusers of AM in a population-based setting. Methods In a population-based nested case control study, computer-assisted telephone interviews were performed in subjects ( n=351, age median 46 years, response 76.1%) who had reported allergies (hay fever, asthma, atopic eczema and food hypersensitivity) in a previous survey. Questions on health-related QoL and evaluated instruments measuring life satisfaction (“Questions on Life Satisfaction” (FLZ M)) and health locus of control (“Fragebogen zur Erhebung von Kontrollüberzeugungen zu Krankheit und Gesundheit” (KKG)) were applied. Results A total of 93 subjects (26.6%), who were younger and better educated than the remaining participants ( n=257), reported experiences with AM. General and health-related life satisfaction was not statistically different between users (71.5 and 71.6) and nonusers (68.5 and 67.0) of AM. Nonusers scored significantly higher for fatalistic externality (21.6) than users (19.0) of AM ( P=.005, adjusted age, gender and school education). The impact on overall health-related QoL was significantly higher for users (11.7) than nonusers (10.3) of AM. This difference was also significant for the domains “physical,” “psychological,” “friends and family” and “leisure activities” (adjusted P<.001). Conclusion Users and nonusers of AM with allergies can be distinguished by psychosocial characteristics such as health locus of control and QoL.