The role of illness perception and sociodemographic characteristics for life satisfaction in Lithuanian Alcoholics Anonymous

Abstract

Objective. This study was intended to find out if and how illness perception both with SES indicators are related to life satisfaction of Alcoholics Anonymous in Lithuania. Methods. A cross-sectional survey using self-report questionnaire (with Illness Perception Questionnaire and Life Satisfaction Scale) was carried out in various groups of AA in Lithuania. The total sample included 98 AA group members (65 males and 33 females). Results. No gender or age, or education level differences in life satisfaction of AA members were found. Life satisfaction was not related to the duration of visiting AA groups also. But in AA men‘s group higher life satisfaction was predicted by longer duration of abstinence, lower relapse rate and lower perceived consequences of the illness; and in AA women group – by lower relapse rate and not being single. Also two aspects of illness perception (lower illness identity and less illness consequences) were related to the higher AA group members’ life satisfaction. Conclusion. The results confirm that interventions targeted at various aspects of illness perception could increase life satisfaction of alcohol dependent people.