Differences In Subjective Quality Research Articles

Subjective quality of life among first-episode psychosis patients in Chennai, India and Montreal, Canada.

Differences in subjective quality of life among persons receiving early intervention for psychosis in varying geo-sociocultural contexts have rarely been examined. Our prospective longitudinal study compared the quality of life of persons with first-episode psychosis receiving two years of similar early intervention in Chennai, India and Montreal, Canada. We hypothesized that general life satisfaction would be higher in Chennai compared to Montreal, and that social relations (a specific quality of life component) would also be higher in Chennai and positively contribute to general life satisfaction. Participants completed the general satisfaction and social relations domains of the Wisconsin Quality of Life Index at baseline, months 12 and 24. Baseline weighted mean general satisfaction and social relations scores were in the low to moderate range. Generalized estimating equation analyses showed that general satisfaction scores increased with time [Wald χ2 (1)=125.28, p<0.001] and were higher in Chennai than in Montreal [Wald χ2 (1)=7.50, p=0.006]. Social relations scores showed the highest association with general satisfaction scores (B=0.52), followed by positive symptom remission (B=0.24) and gender (B=0.18) with Chennai males having the highest general satisfaction scores. Social relations weighted mean scores increased with time [Wald χ2 (1)=87.30, p<0.001] and were positively associated with years of education [Wald χ2 (1)=4.76, p=0.029] and early negative symptom remission [Wald χ2 (1)=7.38, p=0.007]. Our results suggest that subjective quality of life may improve following early intervention for psychosis across contexts. Our findings advance knowledge about the role of sociocultural (e.g., gender) and clinical factors in influencing subjective outcomes in psychosis, and point to social support networks and symptom remission as avenues to boost quality of life.

EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS TREATED WITH FIRST AND SECOND GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS

Introduction- The quality of life of patients with schizophrenia has been extensively studied, however the benefit of using second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) on the subjective quality of life of patients needs to be clarified. Objective- To compare the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia treated with first generation antipsychotics (FGA) to those treated with SGA. Method - This is a cross-sectional study that included patients with schizophrenia according to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), treated with FGA or SGA, stabilized under the same treatment for at least 2 months, and having no psychiatric or somatic comorbidity. The evaluation of the clinical profile of the patients was performed by PANSS (Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale). The quality of life assessment was made using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (MOS-SF36). Results - from a total of 67 patients, 37 were under FGA and 30 under SGA. The two groups are clinically comparable based on the PANSS scale. No significant differences were found in overall scores in terms of physical and mental health, and in their sub-scales scores, between both groups. Conclusion - In our study, we found no significant difference in subjective quality of life in patients with schizophrenia based on the use of FGA and SGA. This study, as well as the contradictory results encountered in the literature, prove that the concept of quality of life is complex, and cannot be reduced to the biologic dimension alone.

Psychological Therapy in Chronic Pain: Differential Efficacy between Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the differential efficacy between Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures before and after the test (n = 57) was used with a non-equivalent control group from a previous cohort treated with CBT (n = 105). The t-test revealed significant differences in subjective quality of life for the MBCT group, and in quantity, optimum, and adequate sleep for the CBT group. The pre–post effect size comparison mostly showed slightly larger effect sizes in the MBCT group. CBT and MBCT had comparable efficacies, although a slight trend towards larger effect sizes in MBCT was found. Likewise, CBT seemed to improve sleep-related variables, while MBCT was associated with improvements in pain and quality of life.

Age Categories Differences in Subjective Quality of Life of Women with Physical Disabilities.

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to analyse and compare the subjective quality of life (S-QoL) of women with physical disabilities (PDs) through satisfaction with the quality of life domains and the overall quality of life assessment.MethodsThe sample comprised of women with PDs (n=137), divided into 4 age categories: 19-29 yrs. (n=53); 30-44 yrs. (n=25); 45-59 yrs. (n=24) and over 60 yrs. (n=35). The Subjective Quality of Life Analyses questionnaire and the WHO User Manual were used as a primary research method. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to assess the differences between QoLDs, Kruskal Wallis test to assess differences in S-QoL among four independent groups and Mann Whitney U-test between two age categories.ResultsThe highest satisfaction in all age categories of women was found in the social relations domain, and in the 19-29 yr-old women equally in the social relations and physical health domains. The highest dissatisfaction was reported with the psychological health and environment domains. The key finding is that the main differences are between the youngest category (aged 19-29 yrs) and the three older categories with regard to physical health, environment and overall QoL.ConclusionsIt is necessary to continue this line of research with a greater focus on exploring the ways in which the psychological health domain can be improved as an integral part of S-QoL, and to also focus on the QoL indicators that make up the environment domain and search for ways to enhance these.

Gender Differences in Subjective Quality of Life of Elite and Competitive Sports Games Players

Summary The objective of the present study was to analyse subjective quality of life (S-QOL) throughout the quality of life indicators’ (QOLIs) and quality of life domains’ (QOLDs) satisfaction, and overall S-QOL among elite and competitive sports games players (i.e. players) and compare the SQOL between the male and female. The research sample comprised of 106 male players (mean age 27.2 ± 1.96 years) and 28 female players (mean age 24.9 ± 1.45 years). A standardized Subjective Quality of Life Analyses (S.QUA.L.A.) was used as a primary research method. No significant differences were found in overall S-QOL neither in QOLDs’ satisfaction between male and female players. Male players present significantly higher satisfaction with leisure activities, sport and work than females. Both genders equally declared the highest S-QOL by social relation and physical health/level of independence and the lowest level of S-QOL by psychological health/spirituality.

Self-Report of Emotional Abilities and Subjective Quality of Life Among Physical Education Teachers

Background. The behaviour of physical education (PE) teachers in managing the lesson is significantly related to their life satisfaction (Bahadir, 2013). PE teachers’ self-report of emotional abilities is positively associated with the educational achievements of their students and increasing teachers’ self-report of emotional abilities improves the quality of physical education (Buns &amp; Thomas, 2016). High self-report of emotional abilities reduces the impact of work-related stress on teachers, increases their creativity in classroom activities and increases students' satisfaction with physical activities (Huang, Liu, Hsieh, &amp; Chang, 2015). The aim of this study was to evaluate physical education teachers’ self-report of emotional abilities and subjective quality of life in comparison with teachers of other subjects, so that in the future more effective measures for improving teachers’ self-report of emotional abilities and subjective quality of life could be developed.Methods. To collect data, Schutte SSRI and SF-36 questionnaire survey was applied.Results. We found that, according to some sub-scales, men and women were significantly (p &lt; .05) different in the estimation of their subjective quality of life. Women scored better (higher scores) than men in their physical performance, emotional state, energy/fatigue, and perceived pain. In this study, we revealed significant correlations between social skills and appraisal (r = .305, p &lt; .01), emotional well-being and appraisal (r = .214; p &lt; .05), and energy/fatigue and appraisal (r = .209; p &lt; .05). The data obtained in our study revealed that male and female teachers evaluated their ability to understand and analyze emotions and manage emotions differently (p &lt; .05).Conclusions. Teachers’ self-report of emotional abilities differed significantly by appraisal and utilization and by the subject taught, which differed in optimism, appraisal, and utilization. Significant (p &lt; .05) differences in subjective quality of life were found by gender in to physical functioning, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, and pain. There was no significant difference found in subjective quality of life by the subject taught.Keywords: physical education, teacher, self-report of emotional abilities, subjective quality of life.

Relationship between documentation method and quality of chronic disease visit notes.

To assses the relationship between methods of documenting visit notes and note quality for primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists, and to determine the factors that contribute to higher quality notes for two chronic diseases. Retrospective chart review of visit notes at two academic medical centers. Two physicians rated the subjective quality of content areas of the note (vital signs, medications, lifestyle, labs, symptoms, assessment & plan), overall quality, and completed the 9 item Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI-9). We evaluated quality ratings in relation to the primary method of documentation (templates, free-form or dictation) for both PCPs and specialists. A one factor analysis of variance test was used to examine differences in mean quality scores among the methods. A total of 112 physicians, 71 primary care physicians (PCP) and 41 specialists, wrote 240 notes. For specialists, templated notes had the highest overall quality scores (p≤0.001) while for PCPs, there was no statistically significant difference in overall quality score. For PCPs, free form received higher quality ratings on vital signs (p = 0.01), labs (p = 0.002), and lifestyle (p = 0.002) than other methods; templated notes had a higher rating on medications (p≤0.001). For specialists, templated notes received higher ratings on vital signs, labs, lifestyle and medications (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in subjective quality of visit notes written using free-form documentation, dictation or templates for PCPs. The subjective quality rating of templated notes was higher than that of dictated notes for specialists. As there is wide variation in physician documentation methods, and no significant difference in note quality between methods, recommending one approach for all physicians may not deliver optimal results.

Comparison of two channel selection criteria for noise suppression in cochlear implants

The performance of current channel selection criteria used in cochlear implant (CI) devices (e.g., maximum selection criterion used in ACE) degrades significantly in the presence of noise. In noisy backgrounds, coding strategies that select the "right" channels for stimulation could potentially produce substantial improvements in intelligibility. In this study, the performance of two alternative channel selection criteria is assessed in terms of intelligibility and subjective quality with CI users in noise. The performance is compared against that of the maximum selection scheme employed in the ACE strategy (comparison is also made with the CIS strategy). Sentences were presented to seven CI users in speech weighted noise (-5, 0, and 5 dB SNR). Both channel selection criteria were implemented under ideal conditions where a priori knowledge of the target and masker was assumed. This was done to assess the full potential benefit of selecting the "right" channels for stimulation in noisy backgrounds. Substantial intelligibility improvement relative to the CI users' daily strategy (i.e., ACE or CIS) was achieved with the two different channel selection criteria under all noisy conditions considered. No significant difference in subjective quality of noisy speech processed by the two channel selection criteria was observed.

A 6-Week, Randomized, Multicentre, Open-Label Study Comparing Efficacy and Tolerability of Amisulpride at a Starting Dose of 400 mg/day versus 800 mg/day in Patients with Acute Exacerbations of Schizophrenia

It has been suggested that neither dose titration nor the use of a loading dose was required for amisulpride and that 800 mg/day could be given from the first day with a low risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). However, no direct study of the need for dose titration has been conducted. This study aimed to compare the efficacy, tolerability and subjective experience of amisulpride between a group receiving an initial dose of 800 mg/day (AMI-800 group) and a group titrating up from an initial dose of 400 mg/day (AMI-400 group) over a period of 6 weeks. A total of 68 patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia participated in this 6-week randomized, multicentre, open-label study of amisulpride. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to the group that received an initial dose of 400 mg/day, which was then titrated up during the first 4 weeks following a fixed schedule. Thirty-eight patients were randomly assigned to the group receiving an initial dose of amisulpride 800 mg/day, which they took until the end of the fourth week. During the fifth and sixth weeks, the doses were adjusted flexibly in both groups. Our primary outcome measures were the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and the changes over time in the total and subscale scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We found no significant between-group differences in clinical improvement on the CGI and the PANSS. However, when responders were defined as those patients who experienced at least a 30 % reduction in the PANSS total scores obtained at baseline, a higher proportion of those in the AMI-800 group met the criterion for responsiveness from week 4 (week 4: 68.4 % vs 40.0 %, p = 0.02; week 6: 71.1 % vs 43.3 %, p = 0.02). Irrespective of treatment group, significant proportions of patients developed hyperprolactinaemia (86 %) and EPS (35 %). However, no statistically significant differences in the overall incidence of adverse events were observed between the two treatment groups. There were also no group differences in subjective quality of life and attitudes toward antipsychotic medication. These results suggest that it may be useful to begin therapy, especially for acute exacerbations of schizophrenia, with an initial dose of amisulpride 800 mg/day to obtain maximal efficacy without any significant side effects.

Quality of Life After Stroke in Old Age: Comparison of Persons Living in Nursing Home and Those Living in Their Own Home

To determine the differences in subjective quality of life between elderly people living in a nursing home and those living in their own homes after brain stroke, and to determine the contribution of demographic variables and different quality of life domains to the explanation of self-assessed quality of life. The study included 60 elderly men and women, 30 living in their own homes (median age, 81; range, 72-90) and 30 living in a nursing home (median age, 81; range, 72-86). Both groups received care (stationary or ambulatory) from the same nursing home. World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-short version, self-assessed quality of life questionnaire, and demographic questionnaire were used to collect data on subjective quality of life. The participants completed self-report questionnaires individually. Quality of life scores were significantly higher in the elderly living in a nursing home than in the elderly living in their own home (mean +/- standard deviation, 78.7 +/- 12.8 vs 59.3 +/- 17.3 out of maximum 100, P < 0.001). Also, the elderly living in the nursing home scored significantly higher than those living in their own home on all 4 quality of life domains (maximum 100 for each domain): physical (28.5 +/- 3.3 vs 17.2 +/- 5.0), psychological (22.3 +/- 3.7 vs 16.3 +/- 5.0), social relationships (11.4 +/- 1.6 vs 8.3 +/- 1.7), and environment (32.8 +/- 4.6 vs 24.0 +/- 6.1) domain (P < 0.001 for all). All predictive variables together explained 51.9% of quality of life variance, with self-assessed health being the most significant predictor. Quality of life of the elderly in a nursing home was significantly higher than that of their peers living in their own home, which may be related to better care in specially organized settings.

Outcome study of first-episode schizophrenia in a developing country: quality of life and antipsychotics

Quality of life has recently been emphasized in the management of schizophrenia, yet data from developing country is lacking. We explored the differences in subjective quality of life between conventional antipsychotics (CAs) and atypical antipsychotics (AAs). This is a naturalistic study conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Patients with first-episode schizophrenia and related psychosis were recruited from Kuala Lumpur Hospital. WHOQOL-BREF, side effects of medications and other variables were assessed after 1 year of treatment in routine clinical situation. The study comprised 120 adults. There were no significant statistical differences between groups concerning subjective quality of life, extrapyramidal side effects and employment. Significant less benzhexol usage was reported among AAs (P<0.001) compared to CAs and sulpiride. Patients treated with CAs, sulpiride or AAs experienced similar quality of life, clinical and health outcomes after 1 year commencing treatment. Overall, the results are in line with other major pragmatic clinical trials. This study also found sulpiride cost-effective.

Sequential dynamic gadolinium magnetic resonance perfusion-weighted imaging: effects on transit time and cerebral blood volume measurements

To evaluate if two gadolinium perfusion studies can be performed during the same table occupancy without degradation of the derived data in the second study. Magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion studies of the whole brain were performed on 12 patients during the administration of two gadolinium boluses separated by 8 min. In six patients, gadolinium was given as two 20-ml administrations of standard 0.5 M chelate (Magnevist), whilst the other six patients received two 10-ml administrations of 1.0 M chelate (Gadovist). There were no significant differences in subjective quality between the time-intensity curves of the first and second perfusion studies using either the 0.5 M or 1.0 M gadolinium chelate. The objective measurements in quality of the time-intensity curves (maximum signal change and full width at half maximum) changed by less than 5% of the original values on the second perfusion study. The first-moment mean transit times did not change significantly on the sequential studies. The regional cerebral blood volume tended to increase on the second study (by 15% on average), but this did not reach statistical significance. The results from two sequential dynamic gadolinium-based perfusion studies can be compared in a meaningful manner using the technique described.

Effectiveness and costs of acute day hospital treatment compared with conventional in-patient care

Data on effectiveness of acute day hospital treatment for psychiatric illness are inconsistent. To establish the effectiveness and costs of care in a day hospital providing acute treatment exclusively. In a randomised controlled trial, 206 voluntarily admitted patients were allocated to either day hospital treatment or conventional wards. Psychopathology, treatment satisfaction and subjective quality of life at discharge, 3 months and 12 months after discharge, readmissions to acute psychiatric treatment within 3 and 12 months, and costs in the index treatment period were taken as outcome criteria. Day hospital patients showed significantly more favourable changes in psychopathology at discharge but not at follow-up. They also reported higher treatment satisfaction at discharge and after 3 months, but not after 12 months. There were no significant differences in subjective quality of life or in readmissions during follow-up. Mean total support costs were higher for the day hospital group. Day hospital treatment for voluntary psychiatric patients in an inner-city area appears more effective in terms of reducing psychopathology in the shortterm and generates greater patient satisfaction than conventional in-patient care, but may be more costly.

Changes in subjective quality of life among homeless adults who obtain housing: a prospective examination.

The aim of this present study is to examine whether overall subjective quality of life and specific domains of quality of life change among homeless adults after they become housed, and if so, what factors predict changes in satisfaction. The data analysed here were collected through face-to-face interviews with a sample of 485 homeless adults who were interviewed as often as bi-monthly over a 16-month period. Bivariate analyses examined initial differences between three groups: homeless people who did not exit from homelessness; those with an exit from homelessness to dependent housing; and those with an exit to independent housing. Bivariate analyses also examined differences in subjective quality of life before and after an exit from homelessness among the three groups. Multivariate analyses identified predictors of changes in quality of life before and after exit. This study has three main findings. First, homeless people who obtained independent housing had the largest positive and significant improvements in satisfaction with overall quality of life, and in satisfaction with housing, leisure and money. Second, becoming housed was not a predictor of changes in overall quality of life perceived by homeless people, nor in their satisfaction with leisure, clothing, food, and social life. Furthermore, a positive change in housing satisfaction was not associated with all types of exits from homelessness; only a move into independent housing predicted such a change, but a move into dependent housing did not. Finally, of all the covariates included as predictors at baseline, only two variables seemed to consistently predict changes in satisfaction; namely, self-assessed general health and self-assessed self-help skills. This study suggested that becoming independently housed may improve some aspects of quality of life for homeless people, but not others. The results suggest that homeless people prefer to be independently housed relative to remaining homeless or staying in a dependent housing situation, but that independent housing does not necessarily improve other aspects of their lives.

Does quality of life differ in schizophrenic women and men? An empirical study.

In our study of 617 schizophrenic patients, we tested the hypothesis that women have a better objective and subjective quality of life than men. Better social integration of women was confirmed. Objective conditions had a significant but quantitatively small impact on satisfaction with specific life domains. Better social integration did not, however, lead to more satisfaction among schizophrenic women. Satisfaction with life in general was better predicted by satisfaction in different life domains than by objective circumstances. Predictors of satisfaction with life were not equal for both sexes. Rather than confirming quantitative differences in subjective quality of life, our data support the existence of gender-specific processes and contexts of subjective valuation.

Sex differences in positive well-being: A consideration of emotional style and marital status.

This article reviews all published studies reporting tests for sex differences in well-being. Women were found to report greater happiness and life satisfaction than men. This sex difference was explained in terms of men's and women's social roles: The female (vs. male) gender role specifies greater emotional responsiveness. Furthermore, past role-related experiences provide women with appropriate skills and attitudes. Women's (vs. men's) greater well-being was also found to hold for married but not unmarried Ss: For both sexes the married state (vs. unmarried) was associated with favorable well-being, but the favorable outcomes proved stronger for women than men. Given that most Ss were married, the overall sex difference in well-being can be attributed to Ss' marital status. These findings were discussed in the context of prior research on sex differences in negative well-being. Research on subjective social indicators has demonstrated that one's objective life circumstances do not necessarily correspond to one's personal experience of well-being. The fact, then, that men and women in our society differ in terms of a variety of biological, personality, and situational factors may or may not result in sex differences in subjective quality of life. This article examines whether men and women do differ in evaluations of their life as a whole. The inquiry is limited to consideration of data on positive welbbeing and excludes findings on negative affect and psychological symptomatology. This is because positive and negative affect appem; under some circumstances, to be uncorrelated (Diener, Larson, Levine, & Emmons, 1985; Wart, Barter, & Brownbridge, 1983). I Reports of positive wen-being are best interpreted as indicators of positive domains of experience, separate from negative aspects of one's life circumstances. Prior research on sex differences in subjective life quality has focused almost exclusively on negative affect and psychological symptomatology. Consequently, most theories in this area are tailored to explain the occurrence of men's and women's poor well-being. This work, and the data on which it is based, is presented as a frame of reference for interpreting sex differences in positive well-being. First, we consider what is represented by judgments of wellbeing. Philosophers and psychologists have debated this question at length (see, e.g., Diener's, 1984, impressive review of the