Skip to main content

Table 1 Sociodemographic and psychometric characteristics of 461 patients

From: Experience of gratitude, awe and beauty in life among patients with multiple sclerosis and psychiatric disorders

Variables

Entire sample (100%)

Multiple sclerosis§(46%)

Depressive disorders (32%)

Psychotic and other disorders (22%)*

Statistics (Pearson’s χ2or ANOVA)

Gender, %

    

p < .0001

  Women

68

78

66

56

  Men

32

22

34

44

Age, years (Mean, standard deviation)

41 ± 13

43 ± 11

41 ± 14

38 ± 13

F = 5.2; p = .006

Family status , %

    

p < .0001

  Married

58

56

50

67

  With partner, not married

22

17

34

21

  Divorced

11

19

0

0

  Single

10

8

16

12

Educational level , %

    

p = .007

  Through Grade 9

24

22

26

26

  Through Grade 10

33

33

37

31

  High school diploma

38

36

37

41

  Other

5

9

0

1

Spiritual/religious self-categorization , %

    

n.s.

  R + S + (religious and spiritual)

15

12

16

18

 

  R + S- (religious, not spiritual)

21

19

24

21

 

  R-S + (not religious but spiritual)

15

16

14

14

 

  R-S- (neither religious nor spiritual)

50

54

47

46

 

Engagement in spiritual activities (0–100)**

     

  Existential practices

54 ± 25

43 ± 11

60 ± 23

62 ± 22

F = 23.2; p < .0001

  Humanistic practices

65 ± 19

65 ± 19

66 ± 16

65 ± 20

F = 0.1; n.s.

  Religious practices

26 ± 24

22 ± 24

31 ± 25

27 ± 23

F = 5.1; p = .007

  Spiritual (MB) practices

19 ± 22

21 ± 24

15 ± 17

19 ± 21

F = 2.6; n.s.

  Gratitude/Awe

42 ± 24

44 ± 22

38 ± 25

43 ± 25

F = 2.2; n.s.

Life satisfaction Sum Score (BMLSS-10) (0-100)

54.6 ± 22.3

69.1 ± 17.1

42.5 ± 15.6

42.5 ± 20.7

F = 123.1; p < .0001

Life Satisfaction Subdimensions (0–6)

     

  Family life

3.62 ± 1.83

4.60 ± 1.45

2.83 ± 1.55

2.84 ± 1.84

F = 66.0; p < .0001

  Friendships

3.70 ± 1.73

4.49 ± 1.43

3.03 ± 1.64

3.06 ± 1.73

F = 46.7; p < .0001

  Work situation

2.82 ± 1.96

3.69 ± 1.72

2.30 ± 1.75

2.18 ± 1.98

F = 28.2; p < .0001

  Myself

2.81 ± 1.80

4.00 ± 1.40

1.82 ± 1.44

1.88 ± 1.53

F = 121.5; p < .0001

  Where I live

4.01 ± 1.64

4.55 ± 1.42

3.50 ± 1.61

3.62 ± 1.71

F = 22.1; p < .0001

  Life in general

3.32 ± 1.69

4.39 ± 1.20

2.21 ± 1.37

2.32 ± 1.66

F = 142.6; p < .0001

  Financial situation

3.24 ± 1.83

3.93 ± 1.55

2.82 ± 1.76

2.59 ± 1.92

F = 29.6 ; p < .0001

  Future prospects

2.92 ± 1.60

3.64 ± 1.29

2.22 ± 1.49

2.43 ± 1.66

F = 43.5; p < .0001

  Health situation

2.45 ± 1.62

3.20 ± 1.49

1.89 ± 1.39

1.77 ± 1.47

F = 50.3; p < .0001

  Abilities to deal with  Daily life activities

3.07 ± 1.62

4.03 ± 1.33

2.29 ± 1.26

2.24 ± 1.47

F = 94.8; p < .0001

  1. *Among the group of 145 patients with psychiatric disorders, 23% had obsessive-compulsive disorders (n = 34; F42), 19% borderline disorders (n = 27; F60.31), 19% alcohol addiction (n = 27; F10), 7% other addictive disorders (n = 10; F20), 8% bipolar disorders (n = 12; F31), and various other diseases with < 5% each.
  2. **All scales had a normal distribution, while, typical for secular societies, the low engagement in Religious practices and Spiritual (mind-body) practices resulted in a left screwed distribution.
  3. §51% had relapsing remitting MS course, 25% progressive relapsing MS, and 23% chronic progressive MS; mean duration of disease = 10.7 ± 8.3 years; mean “Expanded Disability Status Scale” (EDSS; ranging from 0 to 10) score = 3.7 ± 1.8 (indicating moderate disability).
Back to article page

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

ISSN: 1477-7525

Contact us