Psychological Well-being of Medical Patients: Forgiveness Assertiveness and Marital Status as Predictors

Description

Page: 395-398

Euckie U. Immanuel¹, Jennifer O. Onwuka², and Dumkelechuku C. Obed-Ohen³ (Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria¹,² and Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, University of Delta, Agbor, Nigeria³)

Medical patients suffer from physical ailments and the treatment most of the time is centered on the physical aspect. Psychological well-being of medical patients is often neglected. This study aims at examining forgiveness, assertiveness and marital status as predictors of psychological well-being of medical patients. Three hundred and eighty (380) adults were participants in this study, 18-64 years (Mean =29.97; Standard Deviation = 9.6). The authors used the following scales to collect data for the work: Trait Forgiveness Scale, Assertive Behavior Inventory-Assertive behavior sub-scale, and World Health Organization Well-Being Index. The authors used cross-sectional design, and multiple hierarchical regression to analyze the data. Forgiveness (β=.14, p <.001) and assertiveness (β=.20, p <.001) positively predicted psychological well-being of medical patients. However, marital status did not significantly predict psychological well-being of medical patients (β=.031, p > .05). Facilitating patients with medical conditions toward relinquishing their hurts, and teaching them skills of honest self-expression in interpersonal relationships are good for their well-being.