Quality of life in people with severe mental illness. Reliability and validity of the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA)

Abstract

The Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) is a short interview, which has received a recent interest in research investigating quality of life in people with mental illness. In the present study, the Swedish version of MANSA is examined with regard to reliability, in terms of internal consistency and construct validity. Ninety-two persons with severe mental illness were interviewed regarding quality of life, social network, psychosocial functioning, psychiatric symptoms, needs for care, empowerment and experiences of stigma. Internal consistency was adequate (alpha = 0.81). Positive correlations were found between MANSA and social network, empowerment and psychosocial functioning, and negative correlations with psychopathology, number of needs for care, perceived devaluation and discrimination, and rejection experiences. Social network, psychosocial functioning and beliefs of devaluation and discrimination altogether explained 67% of the variance in quality of life. The Swedish version of MANSA showed a satisfactory reliability in terms of internal consistency. The construct of validity of the scale was satisfactory insofar as associations with validation measures were of considerable magnitude and in expected directions.

Work status, daily activities and quality of life among people with severe mental illness

“…It is a short version of the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQLP) [27]. The Swedish version, found to be psychometrically sound [28], was used. The MANSA is administered as a structured interview and includes the individual's subjective rating of general life satisfaction as well as satisfaction concerning 11 different quality of life domains: work, economic situation, social relations, leisure, housing situation, safety, people one lives with, sexual relations, family relations, and physical and psychological health.…”

Time use and daily activities in people with persistent mental illness

“…The Swedish version has obtained satisfactory internal consistency (Björkman and Svensson, 2005). MANSA is completed as a structured interview measuring different domains of life satisfaction such as health, housing, and social relationships.…”

Work experiences among attendees of day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities

“…Responses to the 11 life domain items are summarized into a composite quality of life score. The Swedish version [29], used in the present study, has shown construct validity and satisfactory internal consistency.…”