Stress, anxiety and quality of life: A path analysis study

This study aimed to investigate closely the nature of the relationship between anxiety and stress, and perceived quality of life. In particular, after establishing a cause-effect relationship between the two factors and quality of life, path analysis was used to develop and study a model of paths of influence which took into account quality of sleep and enthusiasm for daily activities as intervening variables mediating the relationship between anxiety and quality of life, and the relationship between stress and quality of life. It was hypothesised that the relationship between the two factors and quality of life may be better explained if considered in terms of direct influence and of indirect influence. The sample used for the study consisted of 101 participants, with an average age of 21.9 years (sd: 5.28) and ages ranging from 19 to 51 years. There were 64 female participants (63.4%) and 37 male participants (36.6%). Each participant was asked to complete an experimental procedure consisting of a series of standardised questionnaires: the general health questionnaire, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, self-rating anxiety scale, perceived stress scale. Using path analysis, the results of the study revealed that the overall effect of the influence of anxiety on quality of life was equal to -0.4; however direct effect was equal to -0.08, while indirect effect was equal to -0.32. Similar results were found for the effects of stress on quality of life: direct effect was equal to -0.15, while indirect effect was equal to -0.26. It can be concluded from the path analysis data that the effect of the influence of anxiety and stress on quality of life may be significant if we take account of the effect of influence of anxiety and stress both on sleep quality and on degree of enthusiasm for daily activities, which in turn have a considerable influence on quality of life itself.