Life satisfaction as a mediator between distressing events and neurotic impairment in a general population.

Quality of life and life satisfaction have often been investigated as concomitant variables of anxious and depressive symptoms as well as an outcome measure in psychotherapy research. In the present prospective survey, life satisfaction and stressful events function as independent variables predicting the development of neurotic disturbances in a general population. A random sample of 184 adults completed two quality of life surveys (1990 and 1992). Results showed that satisfaction in relevant life domains was related to the mental status assessed 2 years later, and more specifically, that domain satisfactions were mediators of the event-impairment relationship. It is argued that life satisfaction might be considered as a vulnerability or resistance factor with regard to stress-related disorders.