Abstract
Constipation negatively affects quality of life (QOL), however, the specific mechanisms through which this relationship occurs
are unclear. The present study examined anxiety and depression as potential mediators of the relationship between constipation
severity and QOL in a sample of 142 constipated patients. Results indicated that depression symptom severity mediated the
relationship between constipation severity and mental health-related QOL. For patients meeting diagnostic criteria for Major
Depressive Disorder, indirect effects were observed in the relationship between constipation severity and both physical and
mental health-related QOL. Anxiety did not contribute to this model. Treating depression may be useful in improving QOL in
severely constipated patients, which highlights the importance of psychological screening and treatment referrals in primary
care settings.
are unclear. The present study examined anxiety and depression as potential mediators of the relationship between constipation
severity and QOL in a sample of 142 constipated patients. Results indicated that depression symptom severity mediated the
relationship between constipation severity and mental health-related QOL. For patients meeting diagnostic criteria for Major
Depressive Disorder, indirect effects were observed in the relationship between constipation severity and both physical and
mental health-related QOL. Anxiety did not contribute to this model. Treating depression may be useful in improving QOL in
severely constipated patients, which highlights the importance of psychological screening and treatment referrals in primary
care settings.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10880-012-9306-3
- Authors
- Jenna J. Albiani, Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Stacey L. Hart, Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Laura Katz, Department of Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Julia Berian, School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Amanda Del Rosario, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Janet Lee, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Madhulika Varma, Section of Colorectal Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Journal Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
- Online ISSN 1573-3572
- Print ISSN 1068-9583