Article title: Relationship between Ego Integrity, Despair, Social Support and Health Related Quality of Life
Author(s): Syeda Farwa Tahreen & Sarah Shahed
Institute(s): Department of Applied Psychology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2014, Vol. 12, No.1, 26-33
Correspondence Address: Syeda Farwa Tahreen, Department of Applied Psychology, Lahore College for Women University, Near Wapda Flats, Jail Road, Lahore 54000 Email: farwa.tahreen2629@yahoo.com; farwatahreen2629@gmail.com
Abstract
The present study purports to explore the inter-relationship between despair, ego integrity, social support and health-related quality of life in older adults and to identify ego integrity and social support as predictors of health related quality of life. A correlational study was conducted on a purposive sample of 100 older adults from Lahore. The sample consisted of 50 men and 50 women. Each group completed a series of questionnaires including Ryffs’s Ego Integrity Scale (EIS), Medical Outcome Studies Social Support Survey (MOS SSS), and Short Form 36 (sf36) Health Survey. Correlation analysis suggested that as ego integrity increases social support as well as mental and physical health of older adults also increases. The results of the current investigation also proposed that the older adults who have high degrees of social support have high levels of ego integrity and are mentally healthy, though their physical health is poorer. In addition the analysis of variance suggested that economic stability is an important factor in maintaining high levels of ego integrity and mental and physical health, however companionship is more important in maintaining mental health. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that ego integrity and social support are significant predictors of mental health whereas demographic variables of age, exercise, presence of chronic illness and employment status were found to be significant predictors of physical health.
Keywords: despair, ego integrity, social support and health related quality of life
