Predictors of quality of life and functioning in schizophrenia
Authors
Octavia Căpățînă1*, Cristina Pojoga2,3, Bogdan Savu4, Mihaela Fadgyas-Stănculete1
1 Department of Neurosciences, Discipline of Psychiatry and Pediatric Psychiatry, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2 Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3 Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca Romania
4 Chronic Mental Diseases Hospital Borșa, Cluj, Romania
Abstract
Background: In order to pursue recovery, Quality of life (QoL) and general functioning in patients with schizophrenia are milestones that need to be addressed in the treatment of the disease. The major aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between QoL, functionality and symptoms, and clinical characteristics of the disease, and to identify whether the two domains of negative symptoms, avolition/apathy and diminished expression, are predictive factors for the quality of life and functionality in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
In the present cross-sectional study, 87 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia completed a thorough battery of instruments evaluating: clinical symptoms, stigma, QoL, functionality, socio-demographic and clinical variables. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test the significance of predictor variables for QoL and functionality.
Multiple regression analyses revealed that internalized stigma, depression, and excitement were significant predictors for the variability of QoL, and experiential deficit and cognitive symptoms were significant predictors of the variability of functioning.
In patients with schizophrenia, functioning and quality of life are two related but different constructs. Even though they are strongly associated, they have different predictive factors. The clinical implication of these results is that both of these constructs should be assessed and that the strategies for improving them should be different.
Keywords: schizophrenia, quality of life, functioning, multiple regression analysis
PAGES:341-356
doi:10.24193/cbb.2021.25.17
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