Health-related quality of life in women with various levels of spiritual health

ABSTRACT

This study investigates for the first time the relationship between spiritual health (SH) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in different periods of life in healthy women, which could be important in the current critical post-pandemic situation. We recruited data from 2238 healthy women in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) framework, performed a cross-sectional study, and divided them into four age groups: 1) 20–34, 2) 35–44, 3) 45–54, and 4) 55≤ years. HRQoL and SH were measured using Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey version 2 and spiritual health inventory in Muslim adults (SHIMA−48). We defined low and high SH as the first and third tertile of SHIMA−48 scores. Most participants were in the first age group (39 percent), were married (74.7 percent), and were housewives (74.7 percent). The mean mental component summary score and its domains were directly associated with age. This subscale was significantly higher in individuals with high SH scores in all age groups. However, except for general health, other physical subscales did not differ significantly between the two levels of SH among the age groups studied. Results indicate higher HRQoL, especially mental health, in healthy women with increased spiritual well-being. This finding can be used in programs to improve psychological health in women.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• health-related quality of life
• spiritual well-being
• women

Acknowledgments

We are appreciative to all the participants of the present study for the considerable time and effort given to this study. Thanks are also due to the research staff at the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) Unit.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The medical ethics committee of the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences institute approved the study proposal (IR.SBMU.ENDOCRINE.REC.1400.108) and was in adherence with the Declaration of Helsinki, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.