Examining the relationship between encouragement and health-related quality of life among Muslims. (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hodge, David R.; Zidan, Tarek; Husain, Altaf
• Is Part Of: Social work in health care. Volume 56:Number 6(2017)
• Page Start: 470
• Page End: 487
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Depression -- encouragement -- health -- Muslims -- spirituality; Medical social work -- Periodicals; 362.10425
• DOI: 10.1080/00981389.2017.1316338
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-1389

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study examines the relationship between encouragement and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among a sample of American Muslims, in tandem with the potential mediating effects of depression and spirituality. To conduct this cross-sectional study, a model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) with a community sample of Muslims (N = 284). The results indicate that encouragement has a direct, positive effect on HRQOL. Neither depression nor spirituality mediated the relationship between encouragement and HRQOL. Rather, both variables exhibited a direct, independent effect on HRQOL. In addition, spirituality exhibited an indirect effect on HRQOL through attenuating depression. The findings underscore the importance of encouragement as a pathway to enhance HRQOL among Muslims in post-9/11 America. The results also suggest that spirituality can play a significant role in fostering HRQOL among Muslims, both directly and indirectly by reducing the effects of depression on HRQOL.