International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · Oct 19, 2026

Life's Essential 8 and Psychological Wellbeing in Those with and without Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder

By Miley K, Rossom RC, Pronk NP et al.

BACKGROUND: Poor cardiovascular health (CVH) remains a leading cause of early mortality among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). While psychological well-being (PWB) is linked to CVH in the general population, its role among those with SMI is less understood. METHOD: This cross-sectional study characterized CVH using the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 among those with and without SMI and examined relationships between CVH and PWB. Demographic, clinical, and PWB data were obtained from the electronic health record and a health and wellbeing survey for 156 individuals with SMI and 311 matched controls (2015-2020). CVH and PWB were compared across groups. General linear models examined associations between CVH and PWB factors, and interaction terms tested whether associations differed by SMI status. RESULTS: Individuals with SMI had poorer CVH and reported worse PWB in domains of life satisfaction, perceived social support, and gratitude compared to controls. Life satisfaction (b = 1.06, 95% CI [0.35, 1.76], p = 0.004) was positively associated with CVH in the total sample and did not vary by SMI status (p = 0.82). The association of social support with CVH varied by SMI status, such that the positive effect of social support on LE8 was greater among individuals without SMI (b = -11.37, 95% CI [-20.28, -2.48], p = 0.012). Gratitude was not associated with CVH. CONCLUSION: Patients with SMI compared to those without SMI have poorer CVH and PWB. Greater life satisfaction and social support may be protective for CVH, but social support may not have the same association among those with SMI.

doi.org/10.1007/s12529-026-10498-8Open accessPubMed 42897416Populations