Relationship between anxiety and quality of life in older mental health patients

Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of anxiety on quality of life (QOL) in older people with mental disorders. Method: Forty patients from a district Older Persons Mental Health Service were assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-5). They then completed the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory and Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: Self-reported anxiety was significantly associated with reduced overall QOL on the WHOQOL-BREF. Anxiety was also associated with the psychological, social and environmental domains of the WHOQOL-BREF, but not with the physical health domain. Anxiety was correlated with more individual domains of QOL than depression. Conclusions: Anxiety makes a significant contribution to self-rated QOL in older people with serious mental disorders.