Factors associated with meaning in life of patients with multiple myeloma in Korea

In this descriptive survey study, we aimed to identify factors influencing the meaning in life of patients with multiple myeloma. We recruited and analyzed 204 patients with multiple myeloma who visited the outpatient clinic or received treatment in wards at Seoul St Mary's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea. Data were collected from these participants using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 21.0 through t-tests, analysis of variance, Scheffé's test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analyses. The factors associated the meaning in life of patients with multiple myeloma were gratitude disposition, social support, positive emotional experiences, and subjective well-being (SWB). Meaning in life had a mean score of 5.29 of 7; gratitude disposition and social support had mean scores of 5.94 of 7 and 3.81 of 5, respectively; while SWB had mean scores of 5.22 and 3.03 of 7 for positive and negative emotional experiences, respectively. The findings of this study indicate the importance of considering patients' gratitude disposition, social support, and positive emotional experiences when developing interventions to support the pursuit of meaning in life among patients with multiple myeloma.