Hope mediates the relationship between depression and quality of life among youths enrolled in a family-based pediatric obesity intervention

ABSTRACTThis study examined the hypothesis that hope mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life (QOL) among youths with obesity. Children (N = 93; aged 7–17) enrolled in the "Positively Fit" treatment study completed the Children's Hope Scale, Behavior Assessment System for Children—Second Edition, Self-Report of Personality Depression Subscale (BASC-2, SRP), and the PedsQLTM to operationalize the hypothesized constructs. A bias corrected bootstrap of the indirect effect was conducted to assess the study hypothesis. There was an indirect effect of depression on QOL through hope. The 95% confidence interval ([CI] = −0.34 to −0.07) had an effect size (standardized indirect effect of −0.14). Hope is a significant mediator of the relationship between depression and QOL. Future research should examine this effect with a longitudinal study design and should test other possible mediators. FundingThis project was funded by grant R40 MC 06631, awarded to Ric G. Steele from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services.Additional informationFundingThis project was funded by grant R40 MC 06631, awarded to Ric G. Steele from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services.