Depression, Anxiety and Stress as A Predictor of Low Life Satisfaction in Physically Handicapped People

Abstract

Depression, anxiety, and stress are among the most prevalent psychological disorders, especially in the case of people with physical disabilities who are confronted with specific conditions that increase their susceptibility. Such mental health conditions have negative effects on life satisfaction, an essential element of well-being, among people with physical disabilities. This study investigates how depression, anxiety, and stress lead to low life satisfaction among physically disabled individuals. This research was based on a predictive research design, using a sample of 88 physically disabled participants from Faisalabad, Pakistan, purposively selected for the study. Data were gathered using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). The study aimed to predict the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and life satisfaction. The outcome determined a strong predictive relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and life satisfaction for physically disabled participants. The results suggested that the elevated levels of depression (r = -0.138), anxiety (r = -0.202), and stress (r = -0.303) were negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Of the three, the strongest negative relationship was between stress and life satisfaction. This conclusion points out how mental health may play a fundamental role in defining the general wellbeing of this group. These findings underscore that specific mental health interventions and programs tailored to accommodate the unique circumstances of the disabled need to be put in place to enhance their subjective well-being or life satisfaction while promoting overall living. Future investigations should attempt such relations in different, larger-scale populations to check on these effects.