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ABSTRACT: The utilization of quality of life (QOL) in psychiatric community rehabilitation could be enhanced by developing an appropriate conceptual model of QOL. The focus of this study was to construct and test, using path analytic techniques, a pertinent conceptual model of QOL among people with schizophrenia living in the community. A total of 201 participants with schizophrenia living in the community were assessed with regard to their clinical characteristics and QOL. Findings largely supported the proposed model in which community/social functioning was the strongest predictor of QOL, followed by symptom levels. Important implications for the design and implementation of appropriate services in functioning augmentation that resulted in QOL enhancement were highlighted. Further recommendations on both clinical and environmental interventions to promote QOL were suggested.
Community Mental Health Journal 05/2008; 44(2):97-112. · 1.03 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: 'TRIP' (Transforming Relapse and Instilling Prosperity) is a ward-based illness management programme that aims to decrease treatment non-compliance and relapse rate by improving the insight and health of acute psychiatric patients with schizophrenia. Eighty-one stable male acute psychiatric patients with schizophrenia were randomized to receive the TRIP programme (n = 44) or the comparison group of traditional ward occupational therapy (WOT) programme (n = 37). Participants' insights and health were assessed by the Unawareness of Mental Disorder Scale and the Hong Kong version of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey, respectively. Each group was then followed up for a 12-month period. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that participants in the TRIP programme had significantly better insight and health than a comparison group during post-study measurement. Participants in the TRIP programme had significantly fewer re-admissions in the 12-month follow-up period than those who attended the WOT programme. In summary the TRIP programme, as led by an occupational therapist, was effective in improving insight, awareness of health and in having a lower re-admission rate than a traditional occupational therapy programme.
Occupational Therapy International 02/2007; 14(2):86-98. · 0.53 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Quality of life (QOL) has gained importance as an outcome measure for people with schizophrenia living in the community following deinstitutionalization. This study aims at exploring the effects of clinical characteristics and objective living conditions on QOL. In this study, 201 community-based individuals with schizophrenia were recruited from five different types of objective living conditions comprising long stay care home, halfway house, supported hostel/housing, living with family, and living alone. Clinical characteristics including cognitive abilities, symptom levels, and community/social functioning were assessed by the Allen Cognitive Level Screen, the Scales for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and Positive Symptoms, and the Chinese version of the Multnomah Community Ability Scale respectively. The outcome measure of QOL was measured by the Chinese version of the WHO Quality of Life Measure. Analysis of covariance showed significant differences in community/social functioning, cognitive abilities, and negative symptoms; but not in QOL under different objective living conditions. Further simultaneous multiple regressions found out that community/social functioning was the robust significant predictor of QOL. Yet caution should be noted in making the conclusion with the objective living condition of long stay care home, as it provides a protective element for the perseverance of QOL.
Quality of Life Research 12/2006; 15(9):1459-69. · 2.30 Impact Factor
