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.
Subjective Quality of Life of Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Challenges Related to Education and Long-Term Prognosis
