Clinical Psychology: Research and Practice Innovations

Clinical Psychology: Research and Practice Innovations"

Causal Modeling of Quality of Life Based on Anxiety Sensitivity with the Mediating Role of Zest for Life in Patients with Panic Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Nemati 1
Marzie Hashemi 2
1 M.A. in Psychology, Alborz Non-Profit University of Higher Education, Alborz, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22075/jcp.2025.37716.3187
Abstract
Introduction: Panic disorder, as one of the most common anxiety disorders, significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of passion for life in the relationship between anxiety sensitivity and quality of life in patients with panic disorder.
Method: This descriptive-correlational study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) on 300 patients with panic disorder referred to the Aramesh Medical Center in Karaj, Iran, in 2024. Research instruments included the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), the Zest for Life Scale (ZFLS), the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the DSM-5 diagnostic checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 and AMOS-24 software.
Results: Findings revealed that anxiety sensitivity had a significant negative effect on quality of life (β = -0.61, p < 0.001). Passion for life partially mediated this relationship (indirect effect: β = -0.32). Model fit indices (χ²/df = 1.48, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.04) confirmed the model's good fit. Significant negative correlations were observed between anxiety sensitivity and passion for life (r = -0.42 to -0.51) as well as quality of life (r = -0.25 to -0.51).
Conclusion: The results indicate that passion for life can serve as a protective factor, mitigating some of the negative effects of anxiety sensitivity on quality of life. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating positive psychological variables into therapeutic interventions for patients with panic disorder
Keywords
panic
anxiety sensitivity
zest for life
quality of life
Subjects
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3768-9529

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  • Receive Date 14 May 2025
  • Revise Date 24 September 2025
  • Accept Date 23 October 2025
  • First Publish Date 03 June 2026
  • Publish Date 22 June 2026