Pain intensity and mental health quality of life in veterans with mental illnesses: the intermediary role of physical health and the ability to participate in activities

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the intermediary role of physical health quality of life and ability to participate social roles and activities in the relationship between pain intensity and mental health quality of life in veterans with mental illnesses. Methods: This is a cross-sectional correlational design study. Our participants are 156 veterans with self-reported mental illness (M_age = 37.85; SD_age = 10.74). Descriptive, correlation, and mediation analyses were conducted for the current study. Results: Pain intensity was negatively correlated with physical health QOL, ability to participate in social roles and activities, and mental health QOL. Physical health QOL and ability to participate in social roles and activities were positively associated with mental health QOL, respectively. Physical health QOL was positively correlated with a ability to participate in social roles and activities. Study results indicate that the effect of pain intensity on mental health QOL can be explained by physical health QOL and ability to participate. Conclusions: Specific recommendations for practitioners include implementing treatment goals that simultaneously focus on physical health and ability to participate in social roles and activities for clients who present with both physical pain and low mental health QOL.