Quality of life of severely mentally ill individuals: a comparative study

This survey compared the subjective quality of life (SQOL) of severely mentally ill patients (n = 59) receiving community support services with a random sample from the general population members (n = 253) and welfare recipients (n = 79). Research participants lived in two cities of Northwest Quebec. The Satisfaction with Life Domain Scale (Baker & Intagliata, 1982) was used in face to face interviews, and also administered as a mail-in questionnaire for the general population. Results show that patients' subjective quality of life as-a-whole is lower than the general population. Mentally ill patients were more satisfied with material domains (e.g., housing and finances) than welfare recipients. However, mentally ill patients were less satisfied with interpersonal relationships, including people they live with, family members and their love life.