The quality of life of the mentally ill living in residential facilities: findings from a national survey in Italy.

摘要: Quality of Life (QOL) is an outcome measure particularly useful to assess the effects deinstitutionalization policies. To date no large-scale study has been conducted in residential facilities (RFs). Participants included 1492 subjects living 174 RFs (20% total) randomly sampled 15 Italian regions. Assessment instruments WHOQOL-Bref, GAF, and Physical Health Index (PHI). WHOQOL scores residents were compared with those healthy (N = 65) outpatients schizophrenia 162). Multivariate analyses used examine relationship between selected patients’ characteristics scores. Mean similar schizophrenia, substantially lower than controls. Lower on domains associated non-affective psychoses, unipolar depression, anxiety or somatoform disorders, shorter duration illness, positive, negative mood symptoms, GAF scores, participation internal activities, PHI score. Our findings are consistent previous studies. The present highlights a marked difference patients controls social domain. This suggests need well-designed rehabilitation plans, tailored needs, foster development their independence and, ultimately, improve QOL.