Benefit finding and its influencing factors among patients with mental disorders: a cross-sectional study

Benefit finding has been associated with individuals' mental health and recovery in other somatic disease domains. However, research on benefit finding in the field of mental disorder remains limited, particularly in China. Given China's unique cultural context, this study preliminarily analyzes the factors influencing the level of benefit finding among individuals with mental disorders in China and explores its correlation with quality of life.

From January to October 2022, a convenience sample of 441 patients with psychiatric disorders was recruited from the Mental Health Center of a large tertiary hospital. Data collection employed a General Information Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Benefit Finding Questionnaire for Mental Disorders, and the WHO Quality of Life Brief Assessment. The study analyzed the current status of benefit finding among these patients and its influencing factors, while also exploring the correlation between benefit finding levels and quality of life.

Patients with psychiatric disorders exhibited low levels of perceived benefits, with an average score of 57.25 ± 14.51. Linear stratified regression analysis revealed that diagnosis(P = 0.001), receipt of psychological therapy༈P = 0.05༉, family relationships༈P = 0.002༉, and social support༈P<0.001༉significantly influenced perceived benefits among these patients. Perceived benefits were positively correlated with quality of life (r = 0.708, P < 0.05).

The level of perceived benefits among individuals with psychiatric disorders is not high, primarily related to diagnosis, receipt of psychological treatment, family relationships, and social support. Perceived benefit scores are positively correlated with quality of life-higher perceived benefit scores correlate with higher quality of life scores. This suggests that healthcare providers should prioritize assessing the level of perceived benefits among individuals with psychiatric disorders, identifying those with low perceived benefit levels for intervention, thereby improving their quality of life.

Healthcare providers should prioritize assessing the family relationships and social support networks of patients with psychiatric disorders. They should emphasize benefit finding following diagnosis, encourage family involvement in the patient's treatment process, promote recovery, and enhance quality of life.