Relationship between quality of life and optimism in cancer patients from Chillán-Chile

Introduction: Cancer can profoundly impact the quality of life of those who suffer from it, influencing their environment and altering their perception, structure, goals, and life purpose. The way individuals cope with the disease largely depends on their level of dispositional optimism.Methods: A correlational quantitative study was conducted using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and LOT-R questionnaires, applied to 66 oncology patients who met the inclusion criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi®. To explore associations between qualitative variables, the Chi-square test was used; for quantitative variables, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied; and to examine the relationship between independent qualitative variables and dependent quantitative variables, the Kruskal-Wallis test was employed.Results: A total of 66.7% of participants reported low overall health, and 51.5% presented with high symptom burden. A low positive correlation was found between dispositional optimism (LOT-R) and global health status (p = 0.006; Rho = 0.333). Significant associations were also identified between functionality and symptom items from the EORTC and various LOT-R items, particularly regarding pain, insomnia, irritability, and perceived health variation in relation to optimism levels. Additionally, a significant association was found between the total LOT-R score and EORTC questions 12, 28, and 29 (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The results indicated that a high level of dispositional optimism is associated with better quality of life, whereas low optimism is linked to reduced quality of life.