Abstract
This meta-analysis synthesized studies on emotional well-being as predictor of the prognosis of physical illness, while in
addition evaluating the impact of putative moderators, namely constructs of well-being, health-related outcome, year of publication,
follow-up time and methodological quality of the included studies. The search in reference lists and electronic databases
(Medline and PsycInfo) identified 17 eligible studies examining the impact of general well-being, positive affect and life
satisfaction on recovery and survival in physically ill patients. Meta-analytically combining these studies revealed a Likelihood
Ratio of 1.14, indicating a small but significant effect. Higher levels of emotional well-being are beneficial for recovery
and survival in physically ill patients. The findings show that emotional well-being predicts long-term prognosis of physical
illness. This suggests that enhancement of emotional well-being may improve the prognosis of physical illness, which should
be investigated by future research.
addition evaluating the impact of putative moderators, namely constructs of well-being, health-related outcome, year of publication,
follow-up time and methodological quality of the included studies. The search in reference lists and electronic databases
(Medline and PsycInfo) identified 17 eligible studies examining the impact of general well-being, positive affect and life
satisfaction on recovery and survival in physically ill patients. Meta-analytically combining these studies revealed a Likelihood
Ratio of 1.14, indicating a small but significant effect. Higher levels of emotional well-being are beneficial for recovery
and survival in physically ill patients. The findings show that emotional well-being predicts long-term prognosis of physical
illness. This suggests that enhancement of emotional well-being may improve the prognosis of physical illness, which should
be investigated by future research.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9379-8
- Authors
- Sanne M. A. Lamers, Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- Linda Bolier, Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Gerben J. Westerhof, Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- Filip Smit, Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Ernst T. Bohlmeijer, Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715