A survey of the self-rated quality of life of individuals with schizophrenia in community residential settings

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the self-rated or subjective quality of life of individuals with schizophrenia in residential care settings.Method: Forty individuals who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were interviewed using the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile.Results: Fifty-two per cent of the sample reported their global subjective quality of life to be satisfactory. Global subjective quality of life was rated lower than the majority of life domains evaluated. The areas of least satisfaction included finances and work. However, the majority of patients were satisfied with their living situation, safety, health, religion, leisure, social and family relations. There was some evidence of a quality of life gradient across these residential settings.Conclusions: Although these patients were satisfied with the majority of life domains assessed, these data need to be interpreted cautiously given the limitations of the study design and the method used to evaluate quality of life.

Validity of subjective versus objective quality of life assessment in people with schizophrenia

“…The LQOLP was developed out of Lehman’s QoL scale [ 35 ] and has both proven reliability [ 36 ] and validity [ 37 ]. The patient’s global assessment of their own subjective QoL was used for the analysis, which is taken as the average of responses to the general well-being question, completed at the start and end of the LQOLP ("can you tell me how you feel about your life as a whole") [ 6 , 38 ]. The BIS [ 34 ] is a widely used self-report measure of insight.…”