Functional Decline and Quality of Life in Polio Survivors

Abstract

This article explores the protective effects that finding a purpose in life has on the level of physical and mental impairment and overall quality of life. Result were gathered from a sample of 200 people. Although the combined social and physical experience of living with the disabling effects of polio has been associated with accelerated aging due to an increased allosteric load finding a purpose in life may diminish these effects. The finding of this study indicates that purpose in life is associated with less perceived decline in health. Moreover purpose in life is predictive of better quality of life despite levels of physical and mental impairment.