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Comparing quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life measure (WHOQOL-100) in a clinical and non-clinical sample: exploring the role of self-esteem, self-efficacy and social functioning
- Authors:
- MURPHY Helen, MURPHY Elisa K.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 15(3), June 2006, pp.289-300.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Quality of life assessments provide a measure of client-assessed wellbeing and help clinicians recognize issues of importance to clients. Comparing quality of life in individuals with a mental illness and individuals without mental illness would allow us to profile and understand the needs of individuals with mental illness understand the impact of stigma and narrow the treatment gap. The aim was to compare quality of life in individuals with severe mental illness against a sample of the general population and to investigate the role of self-esteem, self-efficacy and social functioning. The World Health Organization Quality of Life measure (WHOQOL-100) along with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and the Generalized Self Efficacy Scale (GSES) were administered to 104 individuals, 52 of whom were mental health service users with the remaining 52 participants sampled from the general population. Significant differences were found between clinical and non-clinical groups in four domains of the WHOQOL-100 and in a majority of the facets within domains. Two domains, Level of Independence and Social Relationships, were important differentiating aspects of QoL between the clinical and non-clinical sample as the highest significant differences were recorded there. Lower self-esteem and self-efficacy scores were recorded for the clinical sample compared to the non-clinical sample. The negative repercussions of mental illness encompassed almost all aspects of QoL that individuals had ascertained to be important for satisfaction and wellbeing in everyday life. Findings also indicated that individuals with mental illness have similar needs to a “normal” population in terms of social support and social networks and that inter-personal issues were probably more pervasive than intra-psychic events with regard to QoL. We conclude that the concept of QoL offers clinicians an increased awareness and greater concern for life issues for people who are mentally ill, helping us to develop collaborative relationships and provide effective interventions for individuals with mental illness.
Piloting a gratitude intervention in a community mental health team
- Authors:
- CARSON Jerome, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Groupwork, 20(3), November 2010, pp.73-87.
- Publisher:
- Whiting and Birch
There is a long tradition of the importance of gratitude in relationships. This has led to gratitude being incorporated into a number of positive psychology intervention programmes. However, the empirical evidence for the benefits of gratitude has only been gathered in the last decade. This paper describes a pilot of two gratitude workshops, with a month of gratitude diary keeping, for nine service users attending a community mental health team in London. Pre and post questionnaire assessment showed a number of positive benefits resulting from the intervention. Participants reported being thankful for more things in their lives, had improved life satisfaction, greater environmental mastery, and higher social feelings. All four changes were statistically significant. Separate narratives provide feedback from the workshop organiser, a service user co-facilitator and a participant. In ending, several suggestions are offered continuing this work.
A little knowledge
- Author:
- AYLWARD Nicola
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 29.5.03, 2003, pp.36-37.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Attending courses can help young people with mental health problems improve their quality of life. Describes new research by the Young Adult Learners Partnership, on how courses can best meet their needs.
Quality of life and self-esteem in working and nonworking persons with mental illness
- Author:
- DONGEN Carol J. Van
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 32(6), December 1996, pp.535-548.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Examines the relationship between work status and quality of life and self-esteem in persons with severe, persistent mental illness. Goes on to examine the relationship between (a) demographic characteristics, attitudes toward psychotropic medications, and perceptions of the meaning of work and (b) quality of life and self-esteem in working and nonworking persons with severe mental illness. Results revealed that contrary to the nonworkers' fears, workers reported that work provided a distraction from symptoms and contributed to better mental health.
See Psoriasis: look deeper: recognising the life impact of psoriasis
- Author:
- MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 12p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The Psoriasis Association and the Mental Health Foundation, have come together to raise awareness of the need for healthcare professionals to look at psoriasis holistically, to consider both the physical symptoms and psychological wellbeing, and ensure people with psoriasis receive the care and support they need. This short report is part of the See Psoriasis: Look Deeper campaign exploring psoriasis as a complex, progressive condition which has numerous consequences for the individual, their family, and society as a whole. The paper includes the voices of suffers and looks at the impact on self confidence, employment and mental health. The report calls for the full impact of psoriasis to be recognised and treated by multi-disciplinary teams who will look deeper, both literally and metaphorically. To create change there is a need to prioritise political efforts to ensure that the financial levers and incentives for commissioners are aligned to multi-disciplinary working. Opportunities for change are noted at national and local levels and examples of good practice highlighted. At the same time, the campaign is calling on people with psoriasis, and their families and friends, to consider the broader impacts of the condition and be aware of the potential impact on psychological wellbeing and quality of life; and not to suffer in silence.
“Is work good for you?” Does paid employment produce positive social capital returns for people with severe and enduring mental health conditions?
- Authors:
- DOMINY Martin, HAYWARD-BUTCHER Toby
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 16(1), 2012, pp.14-25.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This study aimed to examine whether paid employment produces positive social capital returns for people with severe and enduring mental health needs. The study participants were 96 users of mental health services in Sussex, who had been supported to return to work through Southdown’s individual placement and support (IPS) services between April 2010 and March 2011. The participants completed a questionnaire rating their level of agreement with statements about their quality of life both before and after they started working. In addition, 3 supplementary individual case studies were made. The findings showed significant increases in reported quality of life following employment. Significant but varying gains were found in the majority of individuals who reported improvement in the following areas: social life; independence; resilience; confidence and self-esteem; optimism; satisfaction; general happiness; and ability to manage mental health. A third of individuals reported improvements in personal relationships and physical health. Increased confidence was perceived by participants as the most important factor. Increased benefits were also found to be associated with individuals who had worked for a longer period, worked longer hours, and were supported on a contract with high fidelity to the IPS model.
Promoting mental health through physical activity: examples from practice
- Authors:
- JONES Martin, O'BENEY Carol
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 3(1), March 2004, pp.39-47.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
The physical health benefits of exercise are well established but there is also growing research evidence of links between physical activity and mental health benefits, including mood elevation, better cognitive functioning and improved self-perception, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Physical activity has also been shown to enhance the effectiveness of psychological therapies and to have a role in improving quality of life and symptom management for people with a wide range of mental health problems. Provides two examples of how provision of physical activity facilities and programmes staffed by qualified specialists can contribute towards improving mental health and quality of life for people with mental health problems.
Are care leavers significantly dissatisfied and depressed in adult life?
- Author:
- BUCHANAN Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Adoption and Fostering, 23(4), Winter 1999, pp.35-40.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Using data from the National Child Development Study (NCDS), the author explores the links between children who have been 'in care', (as they were known pre-Children Act 1989) life satisfaction in adult life, psychological problems at 16 and depression at 33.
CoolTan Arts: enhancing well-being through the power of creativity
- Author:
- KIRRMANN Kathryn
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 14(2), May 2010, pp.12-16.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
CoolTan Arts, is a South London, user-led, charitable, arts and mental health organisation established in 1990, which enhances adult mental health, by using inherent creativity to produce art work, and integrates those with mental health problems with those who work or volunteer at CoolTan Arts, or who come to the art gallery or attend public events such as fashion shows and poetry readings. Daily workshops in visual arts, drawing, batik, fashion, video editing, filming, playwriting, poetry, web design, podcasting, ICT, photography and sculpture, allow patients to start being productive and valued by friends, family and society as artists. Sections entitled ‘promoting recovery’, ‘social inclusion’, ‘challenging stigma’, ‘the Largactyl shuffle’, and ‘new projects and future challenges’, are punctuated with artist’s quotes and illustrations of their work. Empowered to become advocates helping to reduce mental health stigma, participants often go on to teach workshops or gain employment in the community, says the author, CEO of CoolTan Arts, whose own life has been transformed by the organisation. ‘The Largactyl Shuffle’ is a monthly, cultural walk from Maudsley Hospital to Tate Modern, named after the antipsychotic drug, whose side effects can cause a shuffling gait, which purposely draws attention to the link between exercise, environment and good mental health and has a planned role in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
Personality, peer relations, and self-confidence as predictors of happiness and loneliness
- Authors:
- CHENG Helen, FURNHAM Adrian
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adolescence, 25(3), June 2002, pp.327-339.
- Publisher:
- Academic Press
This article sets out to examine to what extent peer relations, self-confidence, and school performance correlated with self-rated happiness and loneliness in adolescents. Personality traits, self-confidence, friendship and school grades were all significantly oppositely correlated with happiness and loneliness. Regressional analysis revealed that extraversion and neuroticism were direct predictors of happiness and self-confidence, while psychoticism and extraversion were direct predictors of loneliness. The effect of sex on happiness and loneliness was moderated by friendship and neuroticism, and by neuroticism and psychoticism, respectively. Extraversion was also a significant predictor of general confidence and social interactions which directly influenced loneliness whilst psychoticism was a direct predictor of loneliness. Self-rated school performance was the only direct predictor of happiness whereas general confidence and social interactions were related to adolescents' self-reported loneliness.