ILLNESS ANXIETY TRAITS, PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PAKISTANI STUDENTS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED STRESS

Abstract

Background: Illness anxiety disorder, marked by persistent fear of having a serious illness despite minimal somatic symptoms, has been associated with elevated psychological distress and diminished well-being. While global literature supports the link between illness anxiety traits, stress, and life satisfaction, the mediating role of perceived stress remains underexplored in the Pakistani context. Understanding this mediating relationship is essential to inform culturally appropriate mental health interventions, especially among university students facing academic and health-related challenges.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between illness anxiety traits, psychological well-being, and quality of life among Pakistani university students.

Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study recruited 170 university students aged 18 years and above through purposive sampling. Four standardized self-report instruments were used: the Illness Anxiety Scale (IAS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the WHOQOL-BREF, and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (18-item version). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and mediation analysis via Hayes PROCESS macro in SPSS version 27.

Results: Illness anxiety traits showed a significant positive correlation with perceived stress (r = .91, p < .01) and significant negative correlations with psychological well-being (r = –.18, p < .05) and quality of life (r = –.18, p < .01). Mediation analysis indicated that perceived stress significantly mediated the relationship between illness anxiety and quality of life (standardized effect = –.34, LLCI = –1.27, ULCI = –.03), but not between illness anxiety and psychological well-being (standardized effect = –.18, LLCI = –1.02, ULCI = .08).

Conclusion: The findings highlight perceived stress as a significant mechanism linking illness anxiety to reduced quality of life. Targeted stress-reduction strategies may help mitigate the psychological burden associated with illness anxiety in young adults.