Self-efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between meaning in life and subjective well-being in cardiac patients

Background: The theoretical framework and empirical data suggest that the relationship between meaning in life and well-being might be mediated by self-efficacy. Based on the cognitive- affective processing system (CAPS), self-concordance model and empirical data, we assume that self-efficacy might also act as a mediator between meaning in life and subjective well-being in cardiac patients. Participants and Procedure: This study was conducted in cardiology units in Poland. Patients who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were approached by research assistants in the inpatient clinic and outpatient centre in a cardiology unit in Poland. Results of the 176 participants (82 women and 94 men) aged from 45 to 82 years (M = 58.56, SD = 8.25) were included in this study. Results: Meaning in life and self-efficacy were significantly related to the each other and two dimensions of subjective wellbeing. Using path analysis we confirmed the direct effects of meaning in life on life satisfaction and positive affect and indirect effects of meaning in life on life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Self-efficacy was found to be a partial mediator in the relationship between meaning in life with life satisfaction and positive affect. As there was no direct path between meaning in life and negative affect, meaning in life was a full mediator between these factors. Conclusions: The present study shows the complexity of the relationship between purpose-oriented personality trait and chronic patients' well-being. This finding provides a solid foundation for further investigation of the influence of personality traits on patients' functioning and well-being.