Quality of Life and Personality Dimensions in Egyptian Substance Dependence Patients

Abstract

Objectives:This study was designed to assess the quality of life in a group of Egyptian substance dependence patients by comparing it with World Health Organization (WHO) standards and to assess the correlation between their quality of life and personality dimensions. Methods:A total of 54 patients with substance dependence (after detoxification) were diagnosed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV over a period of 6 months at the Okasha Institute of Psychiatry in Ain Shams University and at the Psychiatric Health Resort in Cairo. Their quality of life and personality profiles were assessed using the WHO Quality of Life-100 instrument and Temperament and Character Inventory. Results:Substance dependence patients had a significantly worse overall quality of life than the WHO standards. This deterioration was evident in physical, psychological, level of independence, social, and spiritual domains of the WHO Quality of Life-100 instrument. Overall quality of life had a significant negative correlation with novelty seeking, whereas it had a significant positive correlation with self directedness. Conclusions:All treatment programs should pay more attention to improve defective aspects and overall quality of life in substance dependence patients. Higher novelty seeking and lower self directedness were linked to poorer overall quality of life in those patients. This finding reflects the importance of addressing these personality dimensions in the treatment plan of such patients.

The characteristics and patterns of utilization of healthcare services among Omanis with substance use disorders attending therapy for cessation

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Substance use disorders in Arab countries: research activity and bibliometric analysis

“…Low research output in the field of substance-related disorders from Arab region might suggest lack of good mental health services and rehabilitation centres for substance abuse and addiction in the Arab countries [ 22 ]. A study carried out in Egypt found that patients with substance dependence had a significantly worse overall quality of life than the WHO standards [ 32 ].…”

Effects of Social Skills Training for Drug Users under Treatment

“…The increase in the quality of life in the psychological domain one month after the intervention contributes to a difficulty presented in the national and international literature, which refers to losses in the quality of life of substance users (Marcon et al, 2012;Moreira et al, 2013 ;Muller, Skurtveit, & Clausen, 2016;Said, Okasha, Okasha, Haroon, & Fikry, 2012). Such domain is composed of the facets of self-esteem, body image and appearance, positive feelings and negative thoughts, learning processes, memory and concentration, spirituality, religion and personal beliefs (Fleck et al, 1999).…”