Subjectively versus independently assessed quality of life for the long-term mentally ill

Abstract

The present paper is part of a process-outcome study, using a repeated-measures design in the investigation of a community-based psychiatric day care service for long-term mentally ill individuals, based on occupational therapy. The aims were to investigate the properties of the quality of life measures used and to relate to some of the methodologic problems that have been raised in connection with the use of subjective quality of life as an outcome measure. An instrument with one self-report and one interview-based version was used. Both versions were sensitive to change among the patients from admission to a 1-year follow-up. There was a linear relationship between the perspectives, even though the patients generally reported a better quality of life than the independent judgement made from the interview. The interview-based version was more closely related to other outcome measures used than the self-report version, whereas self-reported quality of life was more closely related to consumption of care. Neither perspective showed any manifest relationship to objective indicators of quality of life. Both versions seemed to be valid and sensitive measures for the present patient population. In particular, it might be stressed that the self-report version of quality of life performed as well in the focused respects.