title: Health-related quality of life among subjects with long-term mental symptoms in a population-based sample.
abstract: Women have shown to have poorer health-related quality of life (HRQL) than men. The purpose of this study was to examine HRQL, its gender differences and correlates among subjects (n = 158) with long-term mental symptoms in a population-based sample. HRQL was assessed with the eight dimensions and the Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scales of RAND-36. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were recorded and psychometric scales were administered. Psychiatric diagnoses were confirmed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. HRQL was quite poor in all dimensions of RAND-36 regardless of gender. Men and women had similarly poor scores for PCS and MCS. Mental health-related factors were main correlates of HRQL and this knowledge could be used in nursing practice and in health promotion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. tarja.saharinen@kuh.fi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saharinen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hintikka
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Niskanen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kylmä
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koivumaa-Honkanen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Honkalampi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nikkonen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haatainen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Viinamäki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors