A New Take on a Resource-Based Model of Quality of Life in Hemato-Oncological Patients: Demographic, Personal, and Social Factors

This study tests a new comprehensive model accounting for the role of demographic, personal, and social factors in quality of life (QOL) among a sample of hematological cancer patients. We hypothesized that positive and negative affect would mediate the associations between these factors and QOL. Seventy-two patients were recruited at an outpatient hematological clinic in a midsized medical center in northern Israel. They completed measures of QOL, social support, positive and negative affect, and emotional intelligence (EI). Diagnostic and demographic information was retrieved from their files. Path analysis supported a model in which positive and negative affect mediated the association between income level, social support, EI, and QOL. This study presents a model accounting for QOL among hematological patients that for the first time pertains to demographic, personal, and interpersonal factors. This model may guide future research as well as future interventions to empower and support this fragile target population.