A path analysis of factors influencing life satisfaction among patients with narcolepsy in Japan

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired psychosomatic functioning, and a reduced quality of life. We identified several factors influencing life satisfaction and suggested ways to improve it in patients with narcolepsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to measure life satisfaction in patients with narcolepsy and to examine the interdependence of various factors related to life satisfaction using path analysis. A questionnaire was administered to 87 individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy. A hypothetical model was tested to determine its effect on life satisfaction. The results of the path analysis were χ ² = 11.94 (p = 0.53), GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.92, CFI = 1.00, and RMSEA = 0.00. The overall effects were impact on activities (β = 0.41), self-acceptance (β = 0.36), adaptive attitude (β = 0.36), excessive daytime sleepiness (β = 0.13), mental disorder (β = 0.10) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (β = 0.08). The results indicate that medical conditions such as sleepiness do not impair life satisfaction. This study suggests that life satisfaction can be increased through self-understanding and engaging in adaptive cognition.