CORRELATES OF LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS

The aim of this study was to examine the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with life satisfaction in psychiatric patients. The study population consisted of out-patients and in-patients (n = 12 04) treated at the Department of Psychiatry of Kuopio University Hospi tal in North Save, Finland, during May 1993. Sociodemographic, psychos ocial and clinical correlates of life satisfaction were examined by me ans of two different questionnaires, one directed at patients and the other directed at the staff. Life satisfaction was assessed by means o f a separate scale based on four questions. Patients with schizophreni a were less dissatisfied than patients with other disorders. The stron gest correlates of dissatisfaction were depression and poor social sup port. Other factors relating to dissatisfaction in multiple regression analysis were self-rated health and poor financial circumstances. A p sychosomatic reaction tendency or degree of psychosocial functioning a t the time of the study was not independently related to life satisfac tion. Psychiatric patients who are dissatisfied should be evaluated bo th for depression and for effectiveness of their social network.