Substance Use and Quality of Life in Young Adult Psychiatric Patients

IntroductionIt is known that several factors can influence the quality of life such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, the presence of mental illness or substance abuse.Objectives/aimsAssess quality of life of outpatients observed in Young Adult Unit of our Psychiatry Department (Coimbra Hospital and University Centre – Portugal) and its relation with substance use.MethodsSocio-demographic characterization of youth psychiatric outpatients observed during between 1st January 2015 and 31st July 2016. Portuguese versions of The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were administered. A Spearman correlation coefficient between ASSIST and WHOQOL-BREF scores was calculated.ResultsA total of 255 outpatients were observed: 64.3% females and 35.7% males; ages between 17 and 39 years old. ASSIST and WHOQOL-BREF were administered in 57 patients. Average ASSIST total score was 16.81 (median: 13.50), with tobacco and alcohol scoring higher. Average WHOQOL-BREF total was 13.74 (median: 13.67), with physical and psychological domains scoring less. We found a significant negative correlation between WHOQOL-BREF physical domain and ASSIST tobacco scores; and between WHOQOL-BREF social domain and ASSIST sedatives score.ConclusionsQuality of life is influenced by several factors. Studies showed that consumers of psychoactive substances have lower WHOQOL-BREF scores than nonusers. In our sample, we did not find a significant correlation between global quality of life and different substances. This may be due to existence of low consumption of substances in the sample as well as the existence of other factors that might have influenced quality of life.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Applicability, Internal Structure, and basic Patterns of a Multicultural Brief Quality of Life Measure in a Sample of Psychiatric Patients with Comorbid Substance Use Disorders

The International Journal of Person Centered Medicine ◽

10.5750/ijpcm.v5i3.519 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 120-124

Author(s):

Ihsan M. Salloum ◽

Juan E. Mezzich ◽

Levent Kirisci

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Substance Use ◽

Internal Structure ◽

Treatment Adherence ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Well Being ◽

Quality Of Life Scale

Background: The measurement of quality of life as estimate of well being is assuming increasing importance in the evaluation of health and treatment efficacy. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability, internal structure and clinical patterns of the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI), a brief, self-rated, culturally informed, quality of life scale, in patients experiencing comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders. Methods: Sixty-two consecutively admitted outpatients completed the MQLI. With this data, the applicability, internal consistency, factorial structure, and prediction of treatment adherence over a three-month period were assessed. Results: It was found that the MQLI was easy to administer. It had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.89). Factor analysis revealed that the first factor explained 53% of the variance, indicating the unidimensionality of the instrument around quality of life. Two MQLI items, interpersonal functioning and the availability of supports, significantly predicted treatment adherence. Conclusions: The MQLI is easy to use, it has a coherent structure, and is clinically useful in psychiatric patients with comorbid substance use disorders.

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Quality of life and its related factors in women with substance use disorders referring to substance abuse treatment centers

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-020-01155-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Majid Barati ◽

Khadijeh Bandehelahi ◽

Tahereh Nopasandasil ◽

Hanieh Jormand ◽

Amir Keshavarzi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Substance Abuse Treatment ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Related Factors ◽

Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ◽

The Mean ◽

Abuse Treatment

Abstract Background Substance-Related Disorders are among the most common social problems caused by using legal and illegal substances. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the quality of life (QoL) and its related factors among women with substance use disorders referring to substance abuse treatment centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 Iranian female substance users recruited through the census sampling method in 2018. Data collection tools consisted of demographic characteristics and QoL assessment (SF-36). Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. Results The mean age of the participants was 33.2 ± 12.1 years and the mean score of their total QoL was 35.35 ± 13.5. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that using methamphetamine (β = − 6.62) was the predictor of QoL in women. Moreover, there was a significant association between QoL and age (p < 0.001), educational level (p = 0.011), and age at first use (p < 0.001). Conclusion According to the results, the participants’ QoL was found to be at an unsatisfactory level. So, it is essential to implement educational help-seeking behavior for treatment and effectiveness educational, as well as holding mental health intervention, school-based substance abuse prevention, and harm reduction programs of substance use. This is especially important in adolescents, young, low-educated, early drug use, and methamphetamine user women, as it may increase the QoL

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Quality of life among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer in Canada: A Young Adults With Cancer in Their Prime (YACPRIME) study

Cancer ◽

10.1002/cncr.33372 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Fiona S. M. Schulte ◽

Karine Chalifour ◽

Geoff Eaton ◽

Sheila N. Garland

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Young Adults ◽

Young Adult ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Young Adult Cancer

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Perceived family cohesion, social support, and quality of life in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders compared with patients with mental and physical disorders

Addiction Science & Clinical Practice ◽

10.1186/s13722-021-00252-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bente Birkeland ◽

Bente Weimand ◽

Torleif Ruud ◽

Darryl Maybery ◽

John-Kåre Vederhus

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Family Cohesion ◽

Service Providers ◽

Cancer Data ◽

Physical Disorders ◽

Patient Groups

Abstract Purpose Support from family and other social network elements can be important in helping patients to cope with practical and emotional consequences of diseases. The aim of the study was to examine perception of family and social support and quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). We compared them with patients in treatment for mental disorders (MDs) and physical disorders (PDs). Methods We used data from a national multicenter study that recruited patients (N = 518) from three treatment domains; SUD treatment units, MD treatment units, and PD treatment units (severe neurological conditions or cancer). Data on family cohesion, social support, and QoL were compared across patient groups. In addition, data on health variables was collected. We used a multiple linear regression procedure to examine how health and support variables were associated with QoL. Results Family cohesion and social support in the SUD and MD groups were rated at similarly low levels, substantially lower than in the PD group. The SUD group exhibited a somewhat lower QoL than did the PD group, but their QoL was still in the near-to-normal range. In contrast, the MD group had markedly low QoL. When examining factors associated with QoL, we found that greater family cohesion and social support were positively associated with QoL. Mental distress was the strongest factor, and was negatively associated with QoL (beta − 0.15, 95% CI = − 0.17/− 0.14, p < 0.001). Conclusion Service providers need to be aware of the weaker networks and less regulatory family and/or social support available to patients with SUDs. Providers should focus consistently on the social networks of patients and include patients’ families in treatment processes.

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Lifetime suicide attempt history, quality of life, and objective functioning among HIV/AIDS patients with alcohol and illicit substance use disorders

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462415585668 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 476-485 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kimberly N Walter ◽

Nancy M Petry

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Substance Use ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Aids Patients ◽

Illicit Substance ◽

Illicit Substance Use ◽

Hiv Aids

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The Scandinavian Solutions for Wellness Study - an Observational Study on the Effectiveness of the Lifestyle Program Solutions for Wellness

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(09)71191-5 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (S1) ◽

pp. 1-1

Author(s):

V. Porsdal ◽

O.K. Kleivenes ◽

C. Beal ◽

P. Svanborg

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Observational Study ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Control Group ◽

Life Styles ◽

Lifestyle Program ◽

Life Style Changes ◽

Treatment Data

Aims:It is known that psychiatric disorders often lead to unhealthy life styles and reduced quality of life, which can lead to weight gain, possibly enhanced by psychotropic treatment.Solutions for Wellness (SfW) is an educational program for life style changes for psychiatric patients. This observational study evaluated the effectiveness of SfW.Method:30 psychiatric clinics collected data for the study. Quality of life was measured by the Subjective Wellbeing under Neuroleptics scale (SWN), at baseline and at the end of SfW participation at 3 months. Demographic, disease and treatment data were also collected. A control group consisted of patients from centers that did not offer the SfW program.Results:314 patients were enrolled in SfW group, 59 in the control group. 54% of the total group had schizophrenia, 67% received atypical antipsychotics. The baseline mean BMI in the SfW group was 31.7 kg/m2.SWN scores for the SfW group improved significantly from baseline to the end of the program (mean increase 3.3 ± 12.2), but not significantly more than for the control group (mean difference 1.4, p = 0.4158 (t-test)). The SfW group demonstrated a significant decrease in BMI, weight and waist circumference from baseline. The decreases were significantly larger compared to the control group for BMI (p = 0.0018) and weight (p = 0.0027) (t-tests).Conclusion:Patients in the SfW program improved in BMI, weight, waist circumference and SWN total score. Changes in weight and BMI were significantly larger in the SfW group compared to the control group.

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