Subjective and external assessments of quality of life in schizophrenia: relationship to insight.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the manner in which insight influenced schizophrenic patients' evaluation of their objective life conditions and the concurrent validity between patients' and clinicians' assessments of patients' global quality of life.


METHODS
Forty out-patients who fulfilled DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia were independently interviewed using the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile and the Standard of Living Interview. Insight was assessed using a self-report questionnaire, the Insight Scale.


RESULTS
For insightful patients there was a significant but modest correlation between objective and subjective indicators of quality of life. Likewise, a significant correlation between subjective and external evaluations of global quality of life was limited to those individuals who had good insight.


CONCLUSIONS
Diminished insight may limit the usefulness of the self-report methodology for assessing quality of life for some individuals with schizophrenia.
The Stanley Foundation Research Unit, St John of God Psychiatric Service, Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
M
M
Doyle
S
S
Flanagan
S
S
Browne
M
M
Clarke
D
D
Lydon
C
C
Larkin
E
E
O'Callaghan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires