The WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-100)

This study scrutinizes the ability of the WHO quality of life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) to discriminate (1) between psychiatric outpatients and the general population, and (2) between subgroups of psychiatric outpatients. A sample of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients (N = 410) completed the WHOQOL-100. In addition, DSM-IV Axis-I and Axis-II diagnoses were obtained. Compared with the general population, psychiatric outpatients scored significantly lower on all aspects of self-reported quality of life (QOL). Within the group of outpatients, participants with DSM-IV diagnoses had lower scores than those without. Participants with diagnoses on both Axis-I and Axis-II of DSM-IV (comorbidity) had the lowest self-reported QOL. It is concluded that in psychiatric outpatients, outcome scores of self-reported QOL were negatively related to presence and degree of psychopathology. The WHOQOL-100 has good discriminant ability for psychiatric outpatients.

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Quality of Life and Psychopathology: Investigations into their Relationship

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1080/j.1440-1614.2006.01799.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 333-340 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Erik D. Masthoff ◽

Fons J. Trompenaars ◽

Guus L. Van Heck ◽

Paul P. Hodiamont ◽

Jolanda De Vries

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

General Population ◽

The Body ◽

Life Assessment ◽

World Health ◽

Psychiatric Outpatients ◽

World Health Organization Quality ◽

Axis I ◽

Dsm Iv

Objective: Quality of life (QOL) has become a topic of growing interest in medical and psychiatric practice in general, and in research in particular. Although the body of knowledge about the complex relationship between QOL and psychiatric disorders is growing, understanding this relationship still remains difficult. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to get more and new insights into this relationship. It was hypothesized that QOL would be negatively related to the presence as well as the severity of psychopathology. Method: A random sample of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients (n=410) completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-Bref). In addition, DSM-IV axis I and II diagnoses were obtained. Comparisons were made between scores of the psychiatric outpatients, diagnostic subgroups within this population, and the scores of a general population. Results: Compared with the general population, psychiatric outpatients scored significantly worse on all aspects of QOL. Within the group of outpatients, participants with DSM-IV diagnoses had worse scores than those without. Participants with comorbidity had the worst QOL. Conclusions: It is concluded that QOL scores are negatively related to both the presence and the severity of psychopathology, and that the presence of a personality disorder plays a role in subjectively experienced QOL.

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Validation of the WHO Quality of Life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) in a population of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2004.09.012 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (7) ◽

pp. 465-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Erik D. Masthoff ◽

Fons J. Trompenaars ◽

Guus L. Van Heck ◽

Paul P. Hodiamont ◽

Jolanda De Vries

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Construct Validity ◽

Content Validity ◽

Assessment Instrument ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Psychiatric Outpatients ◽

Quality Of Life Assessment ◽

Axis I

AbstractBackgroundResearch concerning the psychometric properties of the WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-100) in general populations of psychiatric outpatients has not been performed systematically.AimsTo examine the content validity, construct validity, and reliability of the WHOQOL-100 in a general population of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients.MethodA total of 533 psychiatric outpatients entered the study (438 randomly selected, 85 internally referred). Participants completed self-administered questionnaires for measuring quality of life (WHOQOL-100), psychopathological symptoms (SCL-90), and perceived social support (PSSS). In addition, they underwent two semi-structured interviews in order to obtain Axis-I and Axis-II diagnoses, according to DSM-IV.ResultsThe drop-out percentage was low (7.1%). Of the 24 facets of the WHOQOL-100, 22 had a good distribution of scores, leaving out the facets physical environment and transport. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure, which was similar to earlier findings in patients with specific somatic diseases and depressive disorders. Various—a priori expected—positive and negative correlations were found between facets and domains of the WHOQOL-100, and dimensions of the SCL-90 and the PSSS-score, indicating good construct validity of the WHOQOL-100. The internal consistency of all facets and the four domains of the WHOQOL-100 was good (Cronbach’s alpha’s ranging from 0.62 to 0.93 and 0.64 to 0.84, respectively). Sparse and relatively low correlations were found between demographic characteristics (age and sex) and WHOQOL-100 scores.ConclusionsContent validity, construct validity, and reliability of the WHOQOL-100 in a population of adult Dutch psychiatric outpatients are good. The WHOQOL-100 appears to be a suitable instrument for measuring quality of life in adult psychiatric outpatients.

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