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Quality of Life as an Evaluative Measure in Assessing the Impact of Community Care on People with Long-Term Psychiatric Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Margaret M. Barry  and
Charles Crosby
Margaret M. Barry*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham
Charles Crosby
Affiliation:
Health Services Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University College North Wales, Bangor, Gwynnedd LL57 2D, Wales
*
Dr Margaret M. Barry, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
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Abstract

Background

The impact of community resettlement on the quality of life of people with long-term psychiatric disorders, is evaluated in a longitudinal study.

Method

A repeated measures design was used to examine the sensitivity of an adapted version of Lehman's Quality of Life Interview in evaluating change. Completed interviews were carried out with 29 of the original cohort at one year post-discharge. The relationship between quality of life and ratings of client functioning is explored.

Results

Significant changes in the objective quality of life indices include improved living conditions (F = 40.00, P < 0.001), higher levels of social contact (F = 29.52, P < 0.01) and increased leisure activities (F = 4.57, P < 0.05). Apart from increased satisfaction with living situation (F = 6.94, P < 0.01), there were no significant changes in the subjective indices. Ratings of psychiatric state and social functioning did not significantly correlate with global quality of life at one year post-discharge.

Conclusions

Concerns in relation to the sensitivity of life satisfaction ratings in evaluating programme interventions are raised.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 2 , February 1996 , pp. 210 - 216
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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