Relevance of a subjective quality of life questionnaire for long-term homeless persons with schizophrenia

AbstractMy paper presents the results of a research study on the relationship between existential/spiritual resources, that is, spiritual sensitivity (a disposition to experience spirituality, manifested in the embracement of the nature of things in the transcendent and final perspective, in moral sensitivity, and the ability to find meaning in paradoxical and limiting situations), spiritual sensitivity components and subjective quality of life (a generalized attitude to one’s own life mode, in the four existential dimensions: psychophysical, psycho-social, subjective, and metaphysical). Study subjects were older adults (60+, n = 522) living in the current, dynamic, uncertain and fluid modern world conditions. The study had two phases – quantitative and qualitative (narrative interviews). To measure the phenomena, the Spiritual Sensitivity Inventory (Straś-Romanowska, Kowal, & Kapała, 2013) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire (Straś-Romanowska, Oleszkowicz, & Frąckowiak, 2004) were used. The results obtained confirmed a strong mutual relationship between spiritual resources and quality of life, also providing an answer to some questions about the nature of spiritual sensitivity, and its integrating, pro-development and pro-health role in the elderly adults’ life in the post-modern era.

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A mediational model of quality of life for individuals with severe mental health problems

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291798007338 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 1221-1230 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

A. ZISSI ◽

M. M. BARRY ◽

R. COCHRANE

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Subjective Quality ◽

Self Concept ◽

Subjective Quality Of Life ◽

Mediational Model ◽

Objective Indicators

Background. Despite the increasing importance of quality of life in the mental health field, the theoretical conceptualization of the construct remains poorly developed. A proposed mediational model of quality of life, which links subjective quality of life with self-related constructs, is examined with a group of long-term psychiatric hostel residents. The present study aims to develop a measure of quality of life based on the proposed model, to explore the data and their implications for service development and finally to conduct a preliminary analysis of the model's predictions.Method. A cross-sectional research design was employed. Quality of life interviews, using a modified version of Lehman's Quality of Life Interview, were carried out with 54 psychiatric residents in Greece. The model's predictions were examined by using a series of regression analyses.Results. The results indicate that perceived improvements in lifestyle, greater autonomy and positive self-concept are significantly and directly associated with better quality of life. In contrast, a direct relationship between objective indicators and subjective quality of life was not found.Conclusions. The traditional two-part quality of life model that includes objective indicators of life circumstances and subjective indicators is extended to included the constructs of self-concept and perceived autonomy. The present extended mediational model of quality of life for individuals with long-term mental health problems appears to have important implications for the planning and delivery of mental health programmes.

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Predictors of improvement in quality of life of long-term mentally ill individuals receiving case management

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(02)00621-1 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 33-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

T. Björkman ◽

L. Hansson

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Case Management ◽

Mentally Ill ◽

Psychosocial Functioning ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Subjective Quality ◽

Subjective Quality Of Life

SummaryOne hundred and thirteen long-term mentally ill clients receiving case management were investigated with regard to psychosocial and clinical predictors of changes in subjective quality of life during an 18-month follow-up. Better psychosocial functioning and fewer psychiatric symptoms at baseline predicted a greater improvement in quality of life. A larger decrease in symptom severity and a greater improvement in the social network during the follow-up were identified as the most important predictors of a greater improvement in subjective quality of life. The results of the study suggest that an emphasis should be put on effective symptom management, a reduction of needs for care and social support in order to fulfill the aims of improving subjective quality of life in patients receiving case management.

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