Quality of life of people with psychiatric disabilities 1 and 3 years after discharge from hospital

Abstract

We interviewed 43 clients 1 and 3 years following discharge from a psychiatric rehabilitation programme. The Clients' Quality of Life Interview and Uniform Client Data Instrument examined several domains of clients' life situations. Quality of life measures of living situation, social and community living skills, and recreation improved from 1988 to 1990, and other measures were stable. Findings suggest that clients' living circumstances and functioning continue to improve in the 3 years following discharge from psychiatric hospital.

A review of quality of life studies in Nigerian patients with psychiatric disorders

“…Some studies have demonstrated that subjective QOL of patients with psychiatric disorders continue to improve years after been discharged from in-patients care. 31,32 Others have reported that psychiatric disorder patients continue to experience deterioration in QOL after discharge from in-patient facilities. 33 Two of our studies reported poor correlations between the objective indices and subjective QOL.…”

Changes in Social Network Diversity and Perceived Social Support After Psychiatric Hospitalization: Results From a Longitudinal Study

“…An explanation for this could be the fact that the social networks of mentally ill people are restricted before illness onset (Erickson et al, 1989;Brugha et al, 1993) as people start withdrawing from social relationships or losing social roles a considerable time before hospitalization, in an exacerbating stage of mental disorder. In the month and years after discharge from the psychiatric hospital, when recovering from acute episodes of illness, they may resume social contacts and restructure their social network (Gerber et al, 1994;Müller et al, 2006).…”

Health education or empowerment education with individuals with a serious persistent psychiatric disability.

“…Numerous studies have shown that individuals with a chronic, recurring psychiatric disability get better over time (Andrews, Teeson, Stewart, & Hault, 1990; Eikelmann & Reker, 1991; Gerber, Coleman, Johnston & LaFavre, 1994; Harding, Brooks, Takamura, Strauss, Breir, 1987; Pinkney, Gerber, & LaFavre, 1991). Other studies show that some individuals with a chronic, recurring psychiatric disability do indeed have persisting difficulties (Eikelmann & Reker, 1991; Geller, Fisher, Somon, Wirth-Couchon, 1990; Goering, Wasylenki, Lanca, Freeman, 1984; Herman and Smith, 1989).…”