Profiles of subjective quality of life in schizophrenic in- and out-patient samples

For the use of subjective quality of life as an evaluation criterion, it should be known if measures are reliable, to what extent they are influenced by other variables and whether differences and similarities can be detected across treatment situations. Quality of life profiles (Berliner Lebensqualitatsprofil/Lancashire Quality of Life Profile) of 440 schizophrenic patients (from Berlin, Germany and from Wales, UK) were examined. Reliabilities differed between life domains and groups. The influence of other variables was moderate and varied between the groups. Several significant differences between subsamples could be shown between in-patients with a shorter present stay and out-patients. In addition, interesting similarities in profile patterns between in-patients with a longer stay (greater than or equal to 2 years) and out-patients can be found. Being admitted to a psychiatric hospital seems to have an influence on the level and structure of subjective quality of life for some time. Being in a psychiatric hospital for a longer time seems to coincide with a stabilization of level and structure of subjective quality of life. Future reports on subjective quality of life should include diagnostically homogeneous sampling and control the correlation with psychopathology. Further research is needed to clarify the impact of other variables (e.g. length of stay, cognitive variables, treatment features) on patients' satisfaction in different settings. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.