Factors influencing quality of life in people with chronic illness in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors influencing quality of life based on health-promoting behavior in patients with chronic illness.


METHODS
This descriptive study was conducted over 8 months in 2001 on 1,748 chronic adult outpatients at a university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Study variables and instruments were health perception, perceived benefits of action, perceived barriers to action, self-esteem, self-efficacy, social support, commitment of planned action, activity-related affect, health-promoting behavior, and quality of life.


RESULTS
The data indicated a statistically significant positive correlation among health-promoting behavior, perceived benefits of action, self-efficacy, social support, self-esteem, health perception, activity-related affect, and quality of life. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between perceived barriers to action and quality of life. Stepwise multiple regression showed that the most powerful predictor of quality of life was health-promoting behavior. The combination of health-promoting behavior, activity-related affect, self-esteem, health perception, commitment to planned action, social support, and perceived barriers to action accounted for 57% of the variance in quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple social, psychological, and health-related factors were associated with quality of life.
Han
KuemSun
K
Center for Nursing Research, College of Nursing, Korea University. hksun@korea.ac.kr
Lee
PyoungSook
P
Lee
SookJa
S
Park
EunSook
E
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires