BETWEEN PAIN AND HOPE: INVESTIGATING PSYCHACHE, LIFE SATISFACTION, AND HOPELESSNESS IN MOOD DISORDER PATIENTS

Abstract

Mental health research focuses greatly on psychological distress factors which particularly affect people with mood disorders. The psychological results and daily realities of mood disorder patients become clearer by studying fundamental constructs like psychache hopelessness and life satisfaction. Psychache when described as an agonizing emotional distress is linked with suicidal thoughts whereas hopelessness induces negative future evaluations that lead to greater depression and suicide potential. The protective factor that life satisfaction establishes works against psychological distress to promote well-being and resilience. Patients with mood disorders commonly experience both elevated psychache and hopelessness together with reduced life satisfaction rates. This study aimed to examine the relationships among psychache, hopelessness, and life satisfaction in mood disorder outpatients. Utilizing a quantitative survey design, 100 participants were assessed using validated scales, including the Psychache Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between psychache and hopelessness, while life satisfaction showed a negative relationship with both variables. Older age and unemployment were associated with higher psychache and lower life satisfaction. Recommendations emphasize targeted interventions addressing psychache, promoting life satisfaction through resilience-building programs, and implementing socioeconomic support to mitigate distress and improve mental health outcomes.