Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Application of Structural Equation Modeling of Test Dispositional Optimism as Mediator or Moderator in Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Disease

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Recent Developments in Modeling and Applications in Statistics

Part of the book series: Studies in Theoretical and Applied Statistics ((STASSPSS))

  • 1347 Accesses

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to test a hypothetical model to examine if dispositional optimism exerts a moderating or a mediating effect between personality traits and quality of life, in Portuguese patients with chronic diseases. A sample of 540 patients was recruited from central hospitals in various districts of Portugal. All patients completed self-reported questionnaires assessing socio-demographic and clinical variables, personality, dispositional optimism, and quality of life. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the moderating and mediating effects. Results suggest that dispositional optimism exerts a mediator rather than a moderator role between personality traits and quality of life, suggesting that “the expectation that good things will happen” contributes to a better general well-being and better mental functioning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Baron, R.M., Kenny, D.A.: The moderator mediator variable distinction in social psychological-research-conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 51(6), 1173–1182 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Byrne, B.M.: Structural Equation Modeling with EQS: Basic Concepts, Applications and Programming, 2nd edn. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, London (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Chang, E.: Does dispositional optimism moderate the relation between perceived stress and psychological well-being? a preliminary investigation. Personal. Individ. Differ. 25, 233–240 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Costa, P.T., McCrae, R.R.: NEO-PI-R Professional Manual. Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Psychological Assessment Resources (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dubayova, T., Nagyova, I., Havlikova, E., Rosenberger, J., Gdovinova, Z., Middel, B., et al.: Neuroticism and extraversion in association with quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Qual. Life Res. 18(1), 33–42 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Frazier, P.A., Tix, A.P., Barron, K.E.: Testing moderator and mediator effects in counseling psychology research. J. Counsel. Psychol. 51(1), 115–134 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Grant, H., Higgins, E.T.: Optimism, promotion pride, and prevention pride as predictors of quality of life. Personal. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 29(12), 1521–1532 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gustavsson-Lilius, M., Julkunen, J., Hietanen, P.: Quality of life in cancer patients: The role of optimism, hopelessness, and partner support. Qual. Life Res. 16(1), 75–87 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hirsch, J.K., Wolford, K., LaLonde, S.M., Brunk, L., Morris, A.P.: Dispositional optimism as a moderator of the relationship between negative life events and suicide ideation and attempts. Cognit. Ther. Res. 31(4), 533–546 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ho, M.Y., Cheung, F.M., Cheung, S.F.: The role of meaning in life and optimism in promoting well-being. Pers. Indiv. Differ. 48(5), 658–663 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Keller, S.D., Ware, J.E. Jr, Bentler, P.M., Aaronson, N.K., Alonso, J., Apolone, G., et al.: Use of structural equation modeling to test the construct validity of the SF-36 health survey in ten countries: results from the IQOLA project. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 51(11), 1179–1188 (1998) doi: 10.1016/S0895-4356(98)00110-3

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kline, R.B.: Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling, 3rd edn. The Guilford, New York (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Krampe, H., Bartels, C., Victorson, D., Enders, C.K., Beaumont, J., Cella, D., et al.: The influence of personality factors on disease progression and health-related quality of life in people with ALS. Amyotroph. Lateral Scler. 9(2), 99–107 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  14. MacCallum, R.C., Austin, J.T.: Applications of structural equation modeling in psychological research. Ann. Rev. Psychol. 51, 201–226 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Macckinnon, D.P., Fritz, M.S., Williams, J., Lockwood, C.M.: Distribution of the product confidence limits for the indirect effect: Program PRODCLIN. Behav. Res. Methods 39(3), 384–389 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Mulaik, S.: A Linear Causal Modeling with Structural Equations. Taylor & Francis Group, London (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Preacher, K.J., Leonardelli, G.J.: Calculation for the Sobel Test: An interactive calculation tool for mediation tests Retrieved. Http://quantpsy.org/sobel/sobel.htm. Accessed 25 March 2010

  18. Russell, D.W., Kahn, J.H., Spoth, R., Altmaier, E.M.: Analyzing data from experimental studies: A latent variable structural equation modeling approach. J. Counsel. Psychol. 45(1), 18–29 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Scheier, M.F., Carver, C.S.: Effects of optimism on psychological and physical well-being – theoretical overview and empirical update. Cognit. Ther. Res. 16(2), 201–228 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Scheier, M.F., Carver, C.S., Bridges, M.W.: Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem) – a reevaluation of the life orientation test. J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 67(6), 1063–1078 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stanton, A.L., Revenson, T.A., Tennen, H.: Health psychology: Psychological adjustment to chronic disease. Ann. Rev. Psychol. 58, 565–592 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Tabachni, B., Fidell, L.: Using Multivariate Statistics, 3rd edn. HarperCollins College Publishers, New York (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Vittadini G.: Indeterminacy problems in the Lisrel Model. Multivariate Behav. Res. 24(4), 397–414 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ware, J.E., Snow, K.K., Kosinski, M., Gandek, B.: SF-36 Health Survey: Manual and Interpretation Guide. The Health Institute. New England Medical Center, Boston (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wong, W.S., Fielding, R.: Quality of life and pain in Chinese lung cancer patients: Is optimism a moderator or mediator? Qual. Life Res. 16(1), 53–63 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave and ICBAS University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Estela Vilhena

  2. FPCE University of Porto and UIPES, Porto, Portugal

    José Luís Pais Ribeiro

  3. U.Fernando Pessoa of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Isabel Silva & Rute Meneses

  4. IPL of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Luísa Pedro

  5. ICBAS University of Porto and HGSA Hospital Center of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Helena Cardoso, António Martins da Silva & Denisa Mendonça

Authors
  1. Estela Vilhena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. José Luís Pais Ribeiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Isabel Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Luísa Pedro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rute Meneses
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Helena Cardoso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. António Martins da Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Denisa Mendonça
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Estela Vilhena .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. CMUC, Mathematics, University of Coimbra, EC Santa Cruz, Apartado 3008, Coimbra, 3001501, Portugal

    Paulo Eduardo Oliveira

  2. CMUC, Mathematics, University of Coimbra, EC Santa Cruz, Apartado 3008, Coimbra, 3001501, Portugal

    Maria da Graça Temido

  3. CMUC, Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, Viseu, 3504510, Portugal

    Carla Henriques

  4. , Dipartimento di Scienze Statistiche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy

    Maurizio Vichi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vilhena, E. et al. (2013). An Application of Structural Equation Modeling of Test Dispositional Optimism as Mediator or Moderator in Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Disease. In: Oliveira, P., da Graça Temido, M., Henriques, C., Vichi, M. (eds) Recent Developments in Modeling and Applications in Statistics. Studies in Theoretical and Applied Statistics(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32419-2_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation