The mediating and moderating effects of meaning in life on the relationship between depression and quality of life in patients with dysphagia

Aims and objectives To identify whether meaning in life has moderating and mediating effects on the relationship between depression and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Background Dysphagic patients typically have multidimensional problems, such as depression, which can negatively influence their quality of life. Meaning in life, therefore, can be used as a psychological resource that may enhance quality of life for these patients. Design A descriptive cross‐sectional research design was used. Methods Ninety patients with dysphagia were recruited for a survey from eight general and rehabilitation hospitals in Korea. The questionnaires, which included the Korean version of the Swallowing Quality of Life scale developed by Cha, the Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression Scale developed by Radloff, and the Purpose in Life test developed by Crumbaugh and Maholick, were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, Hayes' PROCESS macro and Cronbach's alpha were used for data analyses. Results Meaning in life was found to mediate the relationship between depression and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. However, the index of moderation was not statistically significant, which mean that meaning in life did not moderate the relationship between the patients' depression and quality of life. Conclusions Meaning in life had a mediating effect on the relationship between depression and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Thus, to improve the quality of life of patients with dysphagia, nurses should apply interventions to help them find meaning in life. Relevance to clinical practice Meaning in life can be used as a nursing intervention strategy to improve the quality of life for patients living with dysphagia and depression.