Investigating the Relationship between Needs and Life Expectancy (Maslow’s Hierarchy) among COVID-19-Recovered Patients

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs and life expectancy in COVID-19-recovered patients.

The widespread prevalence of COVID-19 has had an impact on life expectancy. Moreover, life expectancy is affected by individuals’ roles and positions in society. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs and life expectancy in COVID-19-recovered patients.

A correlational cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of three months. One hundred individuals who recovered from COVID-19 were enrolled through the convenience sampling method. The data collection instrument was a three-part electronic questionnaire comprising a demographics form, a researcher-developed needs assessment tool based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and Snyder et al.’s Hope Scale. The collected data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regressions in the SPSS-15 statistical software. The level of significance was set at P <0.05.

Life expectancy was significantly and positively linked with Maslow's hierarchy of needs in general (r = 0.53), as well as with the levels of basic needs (r = 0.53), security needs (r = 0.51), social needs (r = 0.48), esteem needs (r = 0.46), and self-actualization needs (r = 0.42) (P <0.001).

The fulfillment of basic needs is of paramount importance for COVID-19-recovered patients and can lead to increased life expectancy in these people.