Between Pain and Hope: How Social Support Improves the Experience and Quality of Life of Chronic Disease Patients in Upper Egypt

Abstract

Chronic diseases, with their long-term pain and suffering, are the main cause of disability and death. In this case, social support is related to better health outcomes for patients with such diseases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between social support and health quality of life for patients with chronic diseases. It is conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with chronic diseases at Assiut University Hospital in Upper-Egypt through hospital records from January 2025 to April 2025. Data are collected using the Social Support and Health Quality of Life Questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Participants state that the most common type of social support is emotional support, with an average of (2.32), followed by material support, with an average of (2.31), and finally informational support, with an average of (2.29). The results of this study show a statistically significant relationship between social support and quality of life among patients with chronic diseases. Thus, patients who receive greater social support experienced improved health-related quality of life through increased adherence to treatment, the adoption of health-promoting behaviors, and the adoption of healthy lifestyles that positively influence their quality of life.