The relationship between psychological distress and the health-related quality of life of middle-aged Korean females: A serial mediation model

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to provide primary data for developing an intervention program to improve the health-related quality of life of middle-aged females. This study examined the effects of psychological distress, depression, and emotional eating behaviors on the health-related quality of life of middle-aged Korean females. Methods Middle-aged females between 35 and 64 years old, from July 22 to August 10, 2021, were included in this study. The mediating effect of depression and emotional eating behaviors on the relationship between psychological distress and health-related quality of life was investigated. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 325 subjects. Researchers conducted questionnaires measuring general health, depression, emotional eating behavior, and health-related quality of life. Results The findings of this study demonstrated a correlation between the severity of a person’s depression and the degree of their psychological distress, indicating that severe depression was associated with negative emotions, which increased emotional eating behavior. Additionally, more severe depression indicated a lower health-related quality of life. Higher psychological distress was associated with increased levels of emotional eating behaviors and lower health-related quality of life. The total and direct effects of psychological distress on the health-related quality of life were statistically significant. Conclusions These findings suggest that evidence-based intervention programs that alleviate emotional health problems, such as psychological distress and depression in middle-aged females, are crucial. Moreover, nurses help implement evidence-based intervention programs that could assess potential symptoms of psychological distress, depression, and emotional eating behaviors and develop effective treatment strategies to improve the health-related quality of life. Based on the results of this study, when developing a health promotion program that improves the health-related quality of life of middle-aged females, a nursing intervention plan that alleviates emotional health problems, such as psychological distress and depression in middle-aged women, should be prepared.