Affective States and Life Satisfaction in Cancer Patients

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the influence of age, education level, and place of residence on the positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction of male cancer patients. The sample consisted of 180 male cancer patients, equally distributed across categories of age (young, middle-aged, and older), education (educated and uneducated), and residence (rural and urban). Participants were administered the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985). Data were analyzed using three-way Analysis of Variance (3×2×2 ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests to examine intergroup differences. Results indicated significant main effects of age and education on positive affect, and of residence on negative affect. Older cancer patients scored significantly higher on positive affect as compared to younger patients. While educated patients reported greater positive affect than uneducated ones. Urban patients showed significantly higher negative affect than rural counterparts. However, no significant effects of age, education, and residence were observed on life satisfaction. Interaction effects of age, education and place of residence were also not significant. These findings suggest that older age and higher education enhance positive emotions. Whereas urban living is associated with greater emotional distress among cancer patients. This study highlights the need for demographically sensitive psychosocial interventions to promote emotional well-being among cancer patients. Younger, uneducated, and urban patients may particularly benefit from psychoeducational and emotional regulation programs to improve coping and quality of life.