Quality of life of people with mental health problems: a synthesis of qualitative research

Abstract

PurposeTo identify the domains of quality of life important to people with mental health problems.MethodA systematic review of qualitative research undertaken with people with mental health problems using a framework synthesis.ResultsWe identified six domains: well-being and ill-being; control, autonomy and choice; self-perception; belonging; activity; and hope and hopelessness. Firstly, symptoms or ‘ill-being’ were an intrinsic aspect of quality of life for people with severe mental health problems. Additionally, a good quality of life was characterised by the feeling of being in control (particularly of distressing symptoms), autonomy and choice; a positive self-image; a sense of belonging; engagement in meaningful and enjoyable activities; and feelings of hope and optimism. Conversely, a poor quality life, often experienced by those with severe mental health difficulties, was characterized by feelings of distress; lack of control, choice and autonomy; low self-esteem and confidence; a sense of not being part of society; diminished activity; and a sense of hopelessness and demoralization.ConclusionsGeneric measures fail to address the complexity of quality of life measurement and the broad range of domains important to people with mental health problems.

Perceived Spirituality, Mindfulness and Quality of Life in Psychiatric Patients

“…In turn, a study by Goppoldova et al (2008), which sought to discover the specific disease profiles of psychiatric patients linked to subjective QoL, confirms the aforementioned information, stating that some psychological mechanisms of specific psychiatric conditions affect subjective QoL. Similarly, a systematic review of qualitative research on QoL and mental health in people with psychiatric problems shows that a poor QoL is related to severe psychiatric symptoms, and highlights important aspects of this relation such as well-being/malaise, control, autonomy/choice, self-perception, a feeling of belonging, activity and hope/hopelessness (Connell et al 2012). …”

How do patients with severe mental diagnosis cope in everyday life - a qualitative study comparing patients’ experiences of self-referral inpatient treatment with treatment as usual?

“…Several qualitative studies have shown that the experience of control, autonomy and power to make choices is connected to improved quality of life [8], thereby underlining the importance of such experiences.…”

Calidad de vida, alojamiento con apoyo y trastorno mental severo: el valor de la perspectiva socioeducativa en su recuperación

“…La importancia del concepto aumenta, si cabe, al evidenciar que la calidad de vida está íntimamente relacionada con la inclusión social y con el objetivo de recuperación (Bowersox et al, 2012;Conell et al, 2012;De Heer-Wunderink et al, 2012), principio rector de los servicios de salud mental en la actualidad. La evaluación de la calidad de vida, según coinciden gran parte de autores (Angermeyer y Kilian, 1997;Connell et al, 2012;Hansson, 2006;Gutiérrez-Maldonado et al, 2012;Lehman, 1988;Oliver et al, 1996), incluye indicadores objetivos sobre una amplia variedad de aspectos como el funcionamiento personal, ingresos económicos, empleo, status residencial, actividades de ocio, ocupacionales, educación, acceso a recursos, autonomía, etc. Por otro lado, debe incluir elementos subjetivos que valoren el grado de satisfacción o bienestar alcanzado por las personas, partiendo de su propia percepción, en áreas vitales como relaciones, familia, actividad recreativa, salud, etc.…”

“…Esta ambigüedad en la evaluación de calidad de vida, nos lleva a considerar dos aspectos interrelacionados sobre los que se debe incidir, ya que pueden determinar la inclusión social y calidad de vida de las personas. Por un lado, la teoría del intercambio social (Connell et al, 2012), la cual indica que toda interacción puede generar respuestas positivas o negativas, pudiendo provocar síntomas de estrés, ansiedad y ser perjudiciales, por lo que se va generando una respuesta de evitación, reduciendo su calidad de vida (Hansson, 2006). Por otro, el efecto del estigma social y el autoestigma o internalización del estigma (Connell et al, 2012;Corrigan et al, 2009;Mashiach-Eizenberg et al, 2013), consistente en que las personas con TMS son conscientes del estigma público hacia la enfermedad mental y adoptan esas actitudes estigmatizantes.…”