Quality of life outcomes in mental illness: schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders

Although health-related quality of life is an amorphous and heterogeneous concept, it has become an important outcome measure in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This review illustrates the negative effects of distress/clinical factors (psychological distress, anxiety, depressive and negative symptoms) on quality of life of psychiatric patients. Contradictory findings have been reported regarding the relationship of positive symptoms, cognitive deficits and insight with quality of life scores among schizophrenia patients. Increasing evidence suggests that psychosocial or stress process related rather than clinical factors more accurately predict quality of life. The authors suggest that the impact of distress/clinical factors on subjective quality of life of mentally disordered patients is experienced through psychosocial factors. Limitations in current knowledge in this area are identified and suggestions for future research are provided.