Bimodality in life satisfaction: The role of social support in individuals with long COVID.

BACKGROUND

Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, poses substantial challenges to individuals' physical and mental health, yet its impact on life satisfaction remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate variations in life satisfaction among individuals with Long COVID and identify associated predictors using a mixture model approach.

METHODS

Participants (N = 212) were recruited via Prolific and completed surveys assessing life satisfaction, stress, resilience, social support, and hope. A mixture model analysis categorized participants into two clusters based on the relationship between life satisfaction and contributing factors (e.g., social support).

RESULTS

Cluster 1 (n = 153) exhibited lower life satisfaction scores, while Cluster 2 (n = 59) reported higher scores. Social support emerged as a significant predictor of life satisfaction in Cluster 2 (p < .001), with correlations indicating its positive association with life satisfaction and negative association with stress levels. However, social support was not significantly associated with life satisfaction in Cluster 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlighted the heterogeneous nature of life satisfaction among individuals with Long COVID. Social support, particularly from family and friends, was identified as a critical factor influencing well-being outcomes. Tailored interventions focusing on enhancing social support networks could mitigate the adverse impacts of Long COVID and improve overall quality of life for individuals with Long COVID.