title: Mental health consumers' perceptions of quality of life and mental health care.
abstract: Research spanning the past decade consistently reports that people with severe mental illnesses experience lower quality of life than the general population, however, little is known about what "quality of life" means to consumers, or how quality of life can be promoted in mental health care. This study measured the Quality of Life of mental health consumers receiving care from a Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program, and examined consumer perceptions of quality of life. The study used an exploratory design incorporating the WHOQOL-brèf survey and four additional qualitative questions for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive and correlational statistics. Participants (n = 49) reported lower quality of life scores on all four domains of the WHOQOL-brèf and lower overall ratings for "quality of life" than the general population. Having basic needs met, good relationships with family and friends, regular support, and improved social connectedness were identified by consumers as important to their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: St John of God Hospital, Warrnambool, Australia.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
authors.forename: Natisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sands
authors.affiliation: Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elsom
authors.affiliation: Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Roshani Kanchana
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Prematunga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria
keywords: QOL; consumer; mental health nurse incentive program; mental health nursing; quality of life