TO MEASURE QUALITY-OF-LIFE - RELEVANCE AND USE IN THE PSYCHIATRIC DOMAIN

The expression ''quality of life'' has a strong positive connotation. The definition will be influenced by values and points of reference. N ot at least in the psychiatric domain we need a precise and not to wid e-ranging definition. If we are to investigate the relation between li ving conditions or different psychiatric diagnoses, and people's subje ctive experience, we have to separate these sets of phenomena. Quality of life is related to individual feelings. It is subjective and inclu des a global assessment. It is seen as both a cognitive evaluation and some degree of positive and negative feelings. It correlates with dep ression but can be separated from it. Personality factors will influen ce quality of life, but it reacts to life changes and cannot be seen a s synonymous with any particular trait. Quality of life measurements h ave shown that long-term psychiatric patients have lower well-being th an others. They can also help us to weigh between different treatment programmes, and between patients and their social network.