Quality of life in severe mental illness

Abstract

Studies of quality of life (QOL) in severe mental illness have investigated objective life circumstances, the individual's subjective appraisal of their life, health status and a variety of health-economic approaches. A selective review of the literature published in English is provided. Multiple meanings and multiple measures have been employed in the QOL literature. Numerous correlates and predictors of QOL have been identified, of which by far the most consistently powerful is mood state. Subjective QOL appears to be less amenable to change than measures of health status. The authors conclude that more attention should be paid to the assessment of the impact of service interventions on service users' objective life circumstances and to obtaining narrative accounts of the issues that affect users' experience of quality of life.