Developing a Causal Model of Life Satisfaction of Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder based on Loneliness: The Mediating Role of Self-esteem

Post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans is associated with low levels of life satisfaction. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop a causal model of life satisfaction of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder based on loneliness with a mediating role of self-esteem.
In this descriptive and correlational study, 200 veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder were selected by purposive sampling. Diener et al.chr('39')s Life Satisfaction Scale (1985), Russell et al.chr('39')s Loneliness Scale (1980) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1979) were used to collect data. Data were then analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) by SPSS software and Lisrel 8.8.
Based on the results, the causal model of the relationship between loneliness, self-esteem and life satisfaction in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder was confirmed based on various fitting indicators. Loneliness and self-esteem have a direct effect on the life satisfaction of veterans with stress disorder; Also, loneliness through self-esteem has an indirect effect on life satisfaction of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (P <0.05).
Therefore, loneliness and self-esteem play an important role in the life satisfaction of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and targeting these two components through psychological therapies can be effective in improving the life satisfaction of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.