NCJ Number
225675
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 18 Issue: 5 Dated: 2008 Pages: 279-291
Date Published
2008
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to compare the overall quality of life (QOL) of Dutch male outpatients in treatment with a personality disorder (PD) or a major mental disorder (MMD) by means of specific social and subjective indicators.
Abstract
The results of male outpatients in treatment for PD or with schizophrenia MMD found that the groups differed on most social indicators of QOL. MMD patients overall displayed a lower objective QOL than PD patients, but the PD patients gave a lower subjective global QOL rating. The groups, however, did not differ with regard to domain-specific subjective QOL. Satisfaction with leisure and social participation predicted subjective global QOL for both groups. Several limitations within the study were presented and discussed. Further study of QOL was recommended among PD patients to test the extent to which subjective dissatisfaction is intrinsic to PD and to explore the possibility of improving it with targeted treatments. QOL has become increasingly important as an outcome measure in community-based psychiatry. QOL refers to an individual’s sense of well-being and satisfaction with his/her current life conditions, and measured both through objective social indicators and life domain-specific subjective indicators. The aim of this study was to compare 135 outpatients with PD with 79 male outpatients suffering from schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, on social indicators of QOL and on domain-specific and global subjective indicators of QOL. Indicators associated with global subjective QOL in these groups were also tested. Tables and references