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This paper summarized the current status of the commonly used quality of life assessment scales of bronchiectasis （BE） at home and abroad， and compared the characteristics and differences of each scale from the basic framework， domain， item pool， application status and quality assessment， so as to provide a basis for the development and application of scales based on the mode of combination of disease and syndrome. There are currently 12 assessment tools for evaluating the quality of life in BE with good reliability， validity， and responsiveness， but only quality of life - bronchiectasis （QOL-B） and bronchiectasis health questionnaire （BHQ） are specifically developed for BE patients. The development process of these scales is mostly rooted in western culture and modern medicine， making it difficult to highlight the characteristics and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The content of the scales lacks the outcome indicators that BE patients are most concerned about， and cannot fully reflect the subjective feelings of patients. The development and assessment of scales lacks clinical research data and methodological support. Under the guidance of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment， the development of scales based on the mode of combination of disease and syndrome can emerge the characteristics of TCM， reflect the true feelings of patients， and make up for the limitations of the existing scales of BE. Therefore， based on domestic and international scales， factors of China's national conditions and cultural characteristics of TCM should be considered to develop the scale suitable for Chinese people， which requires the construction of a theoretical model for the combination of disease and syndrome， by taking patients as the center and evaluating the performance and quality of the scale.
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With people's attention and in-depth research on visual quality, many distinctive survey scales have been developed. The use of visual quality questionnaires is a subjective way to evaluate patients' visual quality, an expression of patients' self feelings, and an important part of reflecting visual quality. With objective detection methods, the results are more convincing. Many scales have been introduced into China and have been revised through translation, back translation, and cultural adaptation, playing an indispensable role in the visual quality evaluation system. It is particularly important to assess visual quality through psychological and sociological content, and whether the content can be appropriately combined with the subjective feelings of patients. The core of the visual quality of life survey questionnaire lies in its high repeatability. This article summarizes commonly used visual quality questionnaires, which have been verified in terms of validity, reliability, and responsiveness. The validity of the measurement scale, the consistency of the measurement results, the ability to reflect the smallest meaningful clinical changes after effective medical intervention, and the design characteristics, main application directions, and trends of the scale are listed to provide reference for clinical workers to choose appropriate survey scales.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of sequential syndrome differentiation of Yiqi Huayu Qingre prescription （YHQ） in the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome in children. MethodA total of 112 children with refractory nephrotic syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group （57 cases） and a control group（55 cases）. The children in the control group were treated with prednisone tablets combined with tacrolimus，and those in the observation group were treated with YHQ by sequential syndrome differentiation on the basis of the control group. The total effective rates of the two groups after treatment were observed. The 24-hour urinary total protein（24 h UTP），plasma albumin（ALB），cholesterol（CHO），triglycerides（TG）， and traditional Chinese medicine quality of life scale scores before treatment and after four weeks，eight weeks，16 weeks，24 weeks，32 weeks，40 weeks，and 52 weeks in the two groups were recorded. The total course of treatment and the total accumulation of hormones were compared among the children with reduced or no hormone treatment till 52 weeks during treatment. ResultThe total effective rate in the observation group was higher （Z=-2.052，P<0.05）. The observation group had lower 24 h UTP and higher ALB at each follow-up time point than the control group（P<0.05，P<0.01）. At four weeks，eight weeks，and 16 weeks of treatment，there was no statistically significant difference in CHO between the observation group and the control group，and the observation group was lower than the control group in CHO at the rest of the time points （P<0.05，P<0.01）. For TG， the observation group was not significantly different from the control group at four weeks，eight weeks，16 weeks，and 40 weeks of treatment，but lower at 24，32，and 52 weeks （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The total treatment course of hormones in the observation group was shorter（P<0.01）， with less total accumulation（P<0.01）. At different follow-up time points，the total score of traditional Chinese medicine quality of life scale in the observation group was superior to that in the control group（P<0.05，P<0.01），and the scores of the observation group in the four dimensions （physiological function，independent factor，social factor，and psychological factor） after treatment were higher than those in the control group（P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionYHQ under sequential syndrome differentiation has a definite clinical effect in treating children with refractory nephrotic syndrome. It has advantages in shortening the total course of hormone treatment and reducing the total accumulation of hormones，and can improve the quality of life of children with refractory nephrotic syndrome.
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Objective To understand the situation and the influencing factors of life quality in diabetic patients in Shanghai， and to develop effective intervention measures. Methods A total of 212 diabetic patients in Baoshan District， Shanghai were selected as the research objects. Diabetes specific quality of life scale （DSQL） was used to investigate the basic situation and quality of life of patients. Combined with biochemical detection indexes and questionnaire survey， data were analyzed by variance analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis. Blood glucose level was assessed according to the 1999 WHO diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes. Results The overall quality of life score in the patients was 4.31±7.82， which was higher than the domestic norm. The best quality of life was in the dimension of physiological function with the score of 1.84±6.00， which was lower than the domestic norm. The next was the dimension of social relationship， and the worst was the dimension of treatment. The single factor analysis and multivariate analysis identified the following influence factors of quality of life in the patients： family history， educational level， exercise habit， blood glucose control and diet control. There was a negative correlation with educational level and blood glucose control， and a positive correlation with diet control. Conclusion The quality of life in the middle-aged diabetic patients was affected by the education level， blood glucose control and diet control. We suggest to strengthen the community management， health education， and improve the living habits.
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Background: Quality of life (QoL) among stroke survivors is a concern which has not received sufficient attention in India. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life of stroke survivors in rural population of Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka.Methods: A community based longitudinal study was done amongst the 150 incident stroke cases registered during the period from March 2013 to November 2014 and who survived beyond 28 days. The cases were enrolled and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and were followed up for 6th month period. QoL was assessed at baseline (at 28 days), at 3rd month and 6th Month using Stroke Specific QoL scale (SSQoL) and Barthel index (BI).Results: The mean age of the persons with stroke was 61.3±15 years with a majority being males (69.3%). Baseline median score (IQR) of SSQoL at 28th day was poor i.e. 131 (77-183). Among the 150 cases, 136 (91%) survived until the end of 6th month. The overall QOL gradually improved to 182 (133-213) and 185 (147-213) at 3rd and 6th month respectively and similar improvement was seen individually in physical, psychological and social domains as well and on multivariate logistic regression age <60 years and few disturbed consciousness among the stroke survivors during the 6th month follow up were found to be predictors for improved quality of life.Conclusions: QoL showed significant improvements in all physical, psychological and social domains by the end of the 6th month of follow up.
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Background: Historically, the word dementia was derived from Latin word ‘dementatus’, which means ‘out of one’s mind’. There were 24.3 million people with dementia in the world and 4.6 million are being added every year. Present study was done to evaluate the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in elderly patients and its impact on their quality of life.Methods: It was a hospital based descriptive, cross-sectional study. 100 cognitively impaired patients in the age group of 60 years and above were enrolled. The socio-demographic profile, severity of dementia on MMSE; behavioral disturbances on BPSD; psychiatric illness on NPI; agitation on CMAI and their impact on quality of life, and disability were assessed on WHOQOL-Bref and WHO DAS 2.0 scales, respectively.Results: Out of 110 patients that were screened, 100 participated in the study (response rate 91%). Majority of subjects (53%) were illiterate and belongs to rural background (57%). Mean dementia severity score was 17.01±4.439 SD which was of mild to moderate level. Overall mean age was 68.16±8.16 SD and negatively related (r= -0.652; F=27.044, p<0.001) but weakly associated to severity of dementia. There was a statistically significant increase in the NPI scores with increase in dementia severity (Item score F=91.754, p<0.001 and distress score F=81.647, p<0.001). There was significant increase in agitation/aggression (CMAI) with an increase in severity of dementia. BPSD on NPI item score was weakly related (r=0.757) and caused increase in disability but decrease in quality of life. Dementia severity as per MMSE score was negatively related to WHO DAS disability (r= -0.863), BPSD on NPI item (r= -0.797) and agitation/aggression on CMAI (r= -0.587). WHOQOL-Bref decreases with increase in severity of dementia and disability.Conclusions: Dementia severity was of mild to moderate level and it increased with age. Most common psychiatric symptom was agitation/aggression (76%) and least common was hallucinations (12%). BPSD causes significant decrease in quality of life and an increase in severity of disability.
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Objective To study the living quality and mental health status in losing-single-child family couples .Methods A total of 841 losing-single-child family couples and 674 family couples with children alive conforming to the entering group condition were random sampled from the three districts of Chongqing main city .The on-site survey was performed by using the general condi-tion questionnaire ,90 Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) ,Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS ) ,Self- rating Depression Scale (SDS ) ,Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) ,Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH) and WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) Chinese version .Results There were no differences in gender ,age and culture between the losing-single-child family couples group and family couples with children alive group (P>0 .05);the SCL-90 total score and each factor score , SAS and SDS score in the losing-single-child family couples group were significantly higher than those in family couples with chil-dren alive group(P<0 .05) ,the SSRS score ,MUNSH score and WHOQOL-BREF Chinese version evaluation score were signifi-cantly lower than those in the family couples with children alive group(P<0 .05);the multivariate regression analysis showed that the four regression equations in the social relation field ,environment field ,depression factors and total happiness had statistical sig-nificance (P<0 .05) .Conclusion The living quality ,mental health status and subjective well-being in the losing-single-child family couples are significantly affected ,timely psychological crisis intervention and persistent psychological support and mental health ed-ucation should be give them to improve their psychological health status ,increase the living quality and subjective well-being .
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Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus acupoint application in treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).Method Sixty patients were randomized into two groups, 30 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was intervened by acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6), Zhongwan (CV12), and Zusanli (ST36), etc, plus application withBai Jie Zi(Semen Brassicae) powder at Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), and Tianshu (ST25), etc; the medication group was prescribed with oral administration of Trimebutine maleate capsules (0.2 g each dose, 3 times a day). Four-week treatment was taken as a course. The symptoms score and quality of life (QOL) scale were evaluated prior to and after the treatment.Result The clinical symptoms were significantly improved in the acupuncture group, and the total effective rate was89.3%, significantly higher than 63.0% in the medication group (P<0.05). After 4-week treatment, the clinical symptoms scores of the two groups were analyzed by rank-sum test (Z=-19.627,P=0.000<0.05), revealing a significant difference between the two groups and indicating that the improvements of clinical symptoms in the acupuncture group were more significant than those in the medication group. After 4-week treatment, the general QOL scores of the two groups were examined by rank-sum test (Z=-10.039, P=0.000<0.05), revealing a significant difference between the two groups and indicating that the improvement of QOL in the acupuncture group was superior to that in the medication group.Conclusion Acupuncture plus acupoint application can obviously mitigateabdominal pain and discomfort.
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BACKGROUND: Currently available questionnaires for evaluating the quality of worklife do not fully examine every factor related to worklife in all cultures. A tool in Thai is therefore needed for the direct evaluation of the quality of worklife. Our aim was to translate the Work-related Quality of Life Scale-2 (WRQLS-2) into Thai, to assess the validity and reliability of the Thai-translated version, and to examine the tool's accuracy vis-a-vis nursing in Thailand. METHODS: This was a descriptive correlation study. Forward and backward translations were performed to develop a Thai version of the WRQLS. Six nursing experts participated in assessing content validity and 374 registered nurses (RNs) participated in its testing. After a 2-week interval, 67 RNs were retested. Structural validity was examined using principal components analysis. The Cronbach's alpha values were calculated. The respective independent sample t test and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to analyze known-group validity and test-retest reliability. Multistate sampling was used to select 374 RNs from the In- and Outpatient Department of Srinagarind Hospital of the Khon Kaen University (Khon Kaen, Thailand). RESULTS: The content validity index of the scale was 0.97. Principal components analysis resulted in a seven-factor model, which explains 59% of the total variance. The overall Cronbach's alpha value was 0.925, whereas the subscales ranged between 0.67 and 0.82. In the assessment results, the known-group validity was established for the difference between civil servants and university employees [F (7.982, 0.005) and t (3.351; p < 0.05)]. Civil servants apparently had a better quality worklife, compared to university employees. Good test-retest reliability was observed (r = 0.892, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Thai version of a WRQLS appears to be well validated and practicable for determining the quality of the work-life among nurses in Thailand.
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Humans , Asian People , Nursing , Outpatients , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires , Reproducibility of Results , Statistics as Topic , Thailand , TranslationsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: As quality of work-life (QWL) among nurses affects both patient care and institutional standards, assessment regarding QWL for the profession is important. Work-related Quality of Life Scale (WRQOLS) is a reliable QWL assessment tool for the nursing profession. To develop a Chinese version of the WRQOLS-2 and to examine its psychometric properties as an instrument to assess QWL for the nursing profession in China. METHODS: Forward and back translating procedures were used to develop the Chinese version of WRQOLS-2. Six nursing experts participated in content validity evaluation and 352 registered nurses (RNs) participated in the tests. After a two-week interval, 70 of the RNs were retested. Structural validity was examined by principal components analysis and the Cronbach's alphas calculated. The respective independent sample t-test and intra-class correlation coefficient were used to analyze known-group validity and test-retest reliability. RESULTS: One item was rephrased for adaptation to Chinese organizational cultures. The content validity index of the scale was 0.98. Principal components analysis resulted in a seven-factor model, accounting for 62% of total variance, with Cronbach's alphas for subscales ranging from 0.71 to 0.88. Known-group validity was established in the assessment results of the participants in permanent employment vs. contract employment (t = 2.895, p < 0.01). Good test-retest reliability was observed (r = 0.88, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The translated Chinese version of the WRQOLS-2 has sufficient validity and reliability so that it can be used to evaluate the QWL among nurses in mainland China.
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Humans , Accounting , Asian People , China , Contracts , Employment , Organizational Culture , Patient Care , Psychometrics , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , TranslatingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Melasma has been shown to have a significant emotional and psychological effect on affected patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL) as compared to Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). METHODS: A total of 74 female patients of melasma were asked to complete a questionnaire of MELASQOL, DLQI, and additional demographic data. The degree of melasma was determined on the basis of clinical photos by the investigator using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). RESULTS: The mean age of these patients was 46.3+/-8.5 years. The mean MELASQOL score was 39.8+/-16.03 and the mean DLQI score 6.7+/-4.41. The MASI and MELASQOL scores showed statistically significant correlations (p0.05, Pearson correlation=0.129). Also, multiple linear regression model shows that the correlation of MASI and MELASQOL (standardized coefficient=0.367, p0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the MELASQOL could be more relevant and useful than DLQI when evaluating the quality of life for melasma patients. It is presumed that the MELASQOL might be helpful in guiding the patient to appropriate treatment methods and in tracking patient's satisfaction levels.
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Female , Humans , Dermatology , Linear Models , Melanosis , Quality of Life , Research Personnel , Track and Field , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: The Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQLS) was developed for health-care workers in England but might be useful, if valid, in other parts of the world or for other professions. Objective: We test the construct validity and reliability of the WRQLS as applied to nurses in Singapore. Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken in 2009 on a sample of 811 nurses at the National University Hospital (NUH) of Singapore who had at least one year’s work experience. The WRQLS was used in order to test its construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to reduce the factors used to determine WRQLS variance. The Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between the WRQLS and the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) in order to substantiate conclusions regarding construct validity while Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to test WRQLS reliability. Results: The median age of the respondents was 31 (IQR=12) and the majority were female (96.9%). The median duration of work experience was seven years (IQR=10). Following the exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor model with 22 items was selected, including; 1) job and career satisfaction, 2) general well-being, 3) home-work interface, 4) stress at work, and 5) working conditions. The correlation coefficient showed a moderate relationship between the WRQLS and mental component scale (MCS-12) (r=0.495); and a weak relationship between the WRQLS and physical component scale (PCS-12) (r=0.149). The Cronbach’s alpha revealed good reliability (r=0.92). Conclusion: The WRQLS test among nurses in Singapore showed good construct validity and reliability. It could be useful in a working environment in Asia but further testing might be warranted.
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Demonstrar através do índice de incontinência e de um instrumento de qualidade de vida, o benefício da utilização do silicone como substância de preenchimento para o tratamento da incontinência anal. 35 pacientes incontinentes foram avaliados através do índice de incontinência (Cleveland Clinic Florida Scoring System-CCFSS) e instrumento de qualidade de vida (Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life-FIQL), antes e após injeção ambulatorial trans-esfincteriana de silicone. Os critérios de inclusão foram: incontinência anal associada a defeito simples do esfíncter interno ou associado a pequeno defeito do esfíncter externo em quadrante anterior. A escala de qualidade de vida avaliada inclui quatro domínios: depressão, estilo de vida, comportamento e constrangimento. Após 3 meses de tratamento, todos os pacientes foram reavaliados através do índice de incontinência e instrumento de qualidade de vida. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente através do programa GraphPd Instat. 28 mulheres e 7 homens com idade média de 60,3 (19-80) anos foram submetidos a injeção de silicone para o tratamento de incontinência anal. O índice médio de incontinência, antes e após a injeção, foi de 11,3 e 4,3 (p<0.001). Em relação às alterações na escala de qualidade de vida, notamos significantes alterações em todos os domínios estudados antes e após a injeção: (1) estilo de vida p<0,0001;(2)comportamento p<0,0001;(3) depressão p<0,0001; (4) constrangimento p<0,0001. Em casos selecionados, a injeção trans-esfincteriana de silicone proporciona uma melhora do quadro de incontinência anal, observada pela mudança significativa dos parâmetros do índice de incontinência e instrumento de qualidade de vida.
To evaluate clinical impact and benefits of trans-sphincteric injection of silicone in patients with anal incontinence using validated incontinence score and quality of life scale. 35 incontinent patients related to internal and external anal sphincter defects were selected for ambulatorial trans-sphincteric silicone injection. Inclusion criteria were: anal incontinence associated or not to internal sphincter defects and/ or one quadrant external sphincter defects. All patients were submitted to clinical evaluation before and after injections including an incontinence scoring system (Cleveland Clinic Florida) and quality of life scale (Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life) with 4 domains: depression, self-perception, embarrassment and lifestyle. Results: 28 female and 7 male patients with a mean age of 60.3(19-80) years underwent ambulatorial trans-sphincteric injection of silicone. Mean incontinence score improved significantly after injection: 11.3 to 4.3 (p<0.001). All domains in the quality of life scale demonstrated significant improvement after injection (p<0.0001). Conclusion: In selected cases, trans-sphincteric silicone injection is a valuable option for the treatment of anal incontinence, improving significantly patient's quality of life.
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Male , Female , Middle Aged , Humans , Fecal Incontinence/diagnosis , Fecal Incontinence/epidemiology , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Objective:This study aims to measure the quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure,to explore the possible factors effected it.Methods:We evaluated the quality of life 98 cases of heart failure patients by Chinese version of the Minnesota Heart Failure Quality of Life Scale,and 50 cases of hospitalized patients the same period were choosed as controls.Results:Patients with chronic heart failure had lower quality of life scores than the control group,particularly in physical quality of life score.Multiple regression analysis showed that:patient's age(P=0.041),etiology(P= 0.028),family situation(P=0.025),character of the situation(P=0.012),NYHA classification(P=0.000 1) impact the quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure.Conclusions:Patients with chronic heart failure have lower quality of life.Patient's age,etiology,family circumstances,personality situation,NYHA classification are the mainly five factors affecting the quality of life.
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OBJECTIVES: In previous researches the measure of quality of life was assessed either by the subjective experience only or by the objective assessment only, but there have been few studies done using both of these measures and the relationship between these two sides. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the subjective experience and the objective assessment of the quality of life in schizophrenic patients and to find out whether the self-rating of these patients is reliable. Also, the relationship between the assessment of the quality of life and the psychopathology of schizophrenia was investigated. METHODS: The subjects are 48 out-patients, from either Yongdong Severance Hospital or Seoul Paik Hospital, whose diagnosis were schizophrenia according to DSM-IV. The standardized Korea version of Quality of Life Scale(K-QOLS) was used for evaluating the objective assessment of quality of life, while both the Korean modification of the Scale to Measure Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic treatment(KmSWN, 2000) and the Satisfaction of Life Scale(SOL) was used in the evaluation of subjective experience of satisfaction of life. The psychopathology of each patient was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). The patient underwent all the scales on the same day, and the relationship between each scale were analysed by the Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results came out that the total score of PANSS showed negative correlations with the total score of K-QOLS, especially the negative subscale score and the general psychopathology subscale score was correlated more significantly. The total score of KmSWN showed no correlations with neither the total score nor the positive/negative subscale score of PANSS, but the general psychopathology subscale score showed negative correlations with KmSWN significantly. The score of K-QOLS, reflecting the objective assessment, and the score of KmSWN, reflecting the subjective experience, showed positive correlations with each other. But the total score of SOL, reflecting the subjective experience also, showed no correlations with K-QOLS. The score of KmSWN showed positive correlations with the subdomains of interpersonal relations and intrapsychic foundation of K-QOLS, but did not correlate with occuaptional role and daily acitivities. Especially the emotional regulation, the subdomain of KmSWN showed positive correlations with the subscales of K-QOLS. And the subjective and objective quality of life scale both showed negative correlations with the duration of illness and dosages of drugs. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the more severe the psychopathology, the lower the objective quality of life in out-patients with schizophrenia, and the more severe the general psychopathology, the lower the subjective quality of life. The positive relationships between the subjective measure and the objective measure in quality of life were also proved, suggesting that the self-rating of these patients is reliable. The longer the duration of illness and the higher the dosages of drugs, the lower the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.
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Humans , Diagnosis , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Interpersonal Relations , Korea , Outpatients , Psychopathology , Quality of Life , Schizophrenia , Seoul , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to figure out the characteristics and differences of therapeutic environment by classifying into closed-ward inpatient, open-ward inpatient and community residence outpatient environment and comparing objective and subjective quality of life of each group. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 67 open-ward chronic inpatients, 58 closed -ward inpatients in the National Naju Mental Hospital and 85 outpatients living in Naju. We measured objective and subjective quality of life using semi-structural interview by Leman's quality of life scale and compared the 3 groups. We used one-way ANOVA and chi-square test to analyze the differences of the 3 groups. RESULTS: Open-ward inpatients who have autonomy and various community service program were more satisfied with their general life than the others. Community residence outpatients spent more money and less assaults experience but their leisure activities and social contact frequencies were lower than in the inpatients. Outpatients were less satisfied with their health, finances and leasure activities. Inpatients had more leisure activities and higher social contact frequency than outpatients. They were more satisfied with their finances despite of spending less the money monthly than the outpatients. They experienced violence and damage more often for the past one year and were more satisfied with their health. CONCLUSION: The quality of life reported by chronic mental patients differed according to the characteristics of therapeutic environment. The life-quality of open-ward inpatients were the highest among the 3 groups. It is necessary to serve various community service program so that we can improve the life-quality of community residence outpatients.
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Humans , Hospitals, Psychiatric , Inpatients , Leisure Activities , Mentally Ill Persons , Outpatients , Quality of Life , Social Welfare , ViolenceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The SmithKline Beecham' Quality of Life's scale(SBQOL) by Dunbar et at. was developed in an attempt to produce a valid scale which would be justice to the complexity of human experience which constitutes perceived Quality of life. This study was attempted to verify the reliability and validity of the Korean version of SBQOL(KvSBQOL). METHODS: KvSBQOL was administered to 377 university students. Subjects were asked to rate the same 23 items in the aspect of three states, i.e., 'self now'-as they felt at present: 'ideal self-how they would feel as their ideal person: 'sick self-how they would feel as a person who is sick or unwell. The distribution and the differences of KvSBQOL for three mental sets, as well as the split-half reliability, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency for the self now were assessed. For the evaluation of concurrent validity, the Stress Questionnaire(SQ) and Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire(EPQ) were employed as the external criterion. Construct validity was assessed by examining the relationship between the inter-element differences and the scores of other scales: Somatization(SOM) of SCL-90-R(Symptom Checklist-90-Revision), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI), Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) and Internal-External Control Scale(I-E Scale). And then, common factor analyses with varimax rotation and multiple regression analyses were carried out. RESULTS: The element score of self-now was normally distributed, that of ideal self was significantly negatively skewed, and that of sick self was significantly positively skewed. The significant inter-element differences(ideal self/self now, ideal self/sick self, self now/sick self) were found. The split-half reliability(.83), test-retest reliability(.84), and internal consistency(Cronbach alpha, .898) were found to be high. The inter-element distance(ideal self and self now) of the KvSBQOL score was positively correlated with the SQ score and neuroticism score of EPQ, while negatively correlated with extroversion score of EPQ. The inter-element distance showed significant correlations with SOM of SCL-90-R, BDI, STAI, 1-E Scale scores. Factor analysis of 23 items resulted in a five factor solution accounting for 34.24% of total explained variance. The five factors were interpreted as competence, psychological well-being, stability, physical well-being, and activity. The severity of somatization, depression, anxiety and external control contributed to five factors of KvSBQOL. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirmed the high reliability and validity of KvSBQOL and suggest the possibility that KvSBQOL could be a useful measure of QOL in patients with psychiatric disorders.
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Humans , Anxiety , Depression , Extraversion, Psychological , Internal-External Control , Mental Competency , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , Social Justice , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
The Author reviewed the literature about quality of life in order to obtain clearer prospect of the following questions what is quality of life? why is quality of life important in the treatment and rehabilitation of the mentally ill? ; how do we measure quality of life? ; given the differences in the culture and mental health service delivery system between foreign county and Korea, what effect on qualify of life in patients and families will the changes in psychosocial rehabilitation movement have in Korea?