Hanne Clausen1, Anne Landheim1, Sigrun Odden1, Kristin Sverdvik Heiervang1, Hanne Kilen Stuen1, Helen Killaspy1, Jurate Šaltytė Benth1, Torleif Ruud1. 1. Dr. Clausen, Dr. Sverdvik Heiervang, and Professor Ruud are with the Department of Research and Development, Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway (e-mail: hanne.kristin.clausen@ahus.no ). Dr. Clausen and Professor Ruud are also with the Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, where Professor Saltyte Benth is affiliated. Professor Saltyte Benth is also with the Helse Øst Centre for Health Services Research, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway. Dr. Landheim, Ms. Odden, and Ms. Stuen are with the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway. Dr. Landheim is also with the Department of Addiction Research, University of Oslo. Professor Killaspy is with the Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Level of functioning is positively associated with subjective quality of life for people with severe mental illness, but a detailed relationship between functioning and satisfaction with various life domains is largely unknown, and this gap prompted this study. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were obtained from 149 patients engaged with 12 assertive community treatment teams in Norway. Multivariate regression analyses were used to explore associations between subjective quality of life and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Analyses confirmed positive associations between quality of life and age, functioning, and weekly contact with family and friends and a negative association with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Positive associations between several areas of practical and social functioning and satisfaction with related life domains also were found. CONCLUSIONS: Although a causal direction of the associations between functioning and life satisfaction has not been determined in this study, the positive findings might indicate that programs aiming to improve functioning could affect patients' quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: Level of functioning is positively associated with subjective quality of life for people with severe mental illness, but a detailed relationship between functioning and satisfaction with various life domains is largely unknown, and this gap prompted this study. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were obtained from 149 patients engaged with 12 assertive community treatment teams in Norway. Multivariate regression analyses were used to explore associations between subjective quality of life and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Analyses confirmed positive associations between quality of life and age, functioning, and weekly contact with family and friends and a negative association with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Positive associations between several areas of practical and social functioning and satisfaction with related life domains also were found. CONCLUSIONS: Although a causal direction of the associations between functioning and life satisfaction has not been determined in this study, the positive findings might indicate that programs aiming to improve functioning could affect patients' quality of life.