PSYCHACHE, LIFE SATISFACTION, AND HOPELESSNESS AMONG PATIENTS WITH MOOD DISORDERS

Abstract

Mental health research increasingly highlights the psychological distress experienced by individuals with 
mood disorders. Core constructs such as psychache, hopelessness, and life satisfaction offer critical 
insight into their emotional and cognitive challenges. Psychache—intense emotional pain—is closely 
linked to suicidal ideation, while hopelessness fosters negative expectations about the future, worsening 
depression. In contrast, life satisfaction serves as a protective factor, enhancing resilience and overall 
well-being. This study explored the relationships among psychache, hopelessness, and life satisfaction in 
mood disorder outpatients using a quantitative survey of 100 participants. Validated tools—the 
Psychache Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale—were used for assessment. 
Results showed a strong positive correlation between psychache and hopelessness, and a negative 
correlation between both variables and life satisfaction. Additionally, older age and unemployment 
were associated with greater psychache and lower life satisfaction. The findings underscore the need for 
targeted interventions to reduce psychache, enhance life satisfaction, and provide socioeconomic support 
to improve mental health outcomes in mood disorder patients.