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Open Access 01-10-2012 | Review

The impact of emotional well-being on long-term recovery and survival in physical illness: a meta-analysis

Authors: Sanne M. A. Lamers, Linda Bolier, Gerben J. Westerhof, Filip Smit, Ernst T. Bohlmeijer

Published in: Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 5/2012

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.

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Title: The impact of emotional well-being on long-term recovery and survival in physical illness: a meta-analysis
Authors: Sanne M. A. Lamers
Linda Bolier
Gerben J. Westerhof
Filip Smit
Ernst T. Bohlmeijer
Publication date: 01-10-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0160-7715
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3521
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-011-9379-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The impact of emotional well-being on long-term recovery and survival in physical illness: a meta-analysis

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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