Life Satisfaction, Hope, and Positive Emotions as Antecedents of Health Related Quality of Life Among Homeless Individuals

Abstract

Among a sample of individuals identifying as homeless (N′ = 275), this study modeled the relationship between the psychological well-being variables of hope, life satisfaction, positive emotions, and health related quality of life (HRQoL). Specifically, covariance based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was used to test a prior theory that life satisfaction serves as an antecedent of HRQoL with hope and positive emotions as mediators. Results indicated that the theorized CB-SEM model closely fit the observed data, with the model also serving as a robust predictor of hope, positive emotions, and HRQoL. The data suggests that life satisfaction and hope are important cognitive sets influencing positive emotional well-being with all 3 variables collectively contributing to increased perceptions of HRQoL. The study concludes with a discussion of the implications of the results on future research, particularly surrounding potential quality of life interventions for individuals facing homelessness and associated health challenges.