The Effect of Dispositional Optimism in HRQOL in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions in Greece

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of optimism in the quality of life of patients with musculoskeletal problems that were referred to Amfilohia Rehabilitation Center, because of chronic pain and kinetic difficulties. The sample consisted of 96 patients. The questionnaires that were used are the short form health questionnaire (12 questions; SF12), the life orientation test-revised (LOT-R) and a VAS scale for pain measurement. According to the regression analysis performed, dispositional optimism is an independent factor affecting both the physical (β=.249, p<. 005) and mental composite score (β=.414, p<.0001) in patients with musculoskeletal problems, even after controlling for the effect of pain intensity. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V./The International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS)