[Concepts of quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. The relationship to their quantitative evaluation of quality of life].
OBJECTIVE
It is analysed whether the personal concept of what constitutes one's quality-of-life (QoL) is related to subjective QoL ratings in schizophrenic persons.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, statements of specific QoL-aspects in an open-ended interview with n=255 schizophrenic persons were correlated with subjective QoL ratings (Munich Quality of Life Dimensions List) and analysed for their predictive value by means of linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
Stating the family and oral needs were positive, stating aspects of illness and negative well-being were negative predictors of subjective QoL, independent of age and gender. Substantial contributions to subjective QoL ratings were found when persons generally negated positive or, independently, generally negated negative aspects of QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
The importance of a primary social network (family), of the illness and well-being for subjective QoL ratings could be replicated. It could be shown that "oral needs" are related to subjective QoL ratings. Moreover, there is further evidence for a resigning attitude towards life in schizophrenic persons and their impact on QoL ratings.
Meyer
Thorsten
T
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Institut für Sozialmedizin, Germany. thorsten.meyer@sozmed.uni-luebeck.de
Franz
Michael
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires