World Health Organization Quality Of Life Scale Research Articles

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY INTERACTION, FAMILY BURDEN AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY

Living with epilepsy imposes great challenges on both patients and their family caregivers but most researchers only explored the impact on patients, with less attention given to family caregivers. Our study intended to explore the needs and problems of epilepsy family caregivers of epilepsy patients encountered during the caregiving process. The present study was an attempt to assess the relationship between Family interaction pattern, family burden schedule and Quality of life of the caregivers of individuals with epilepsy. This study was conducted at the Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Ranchi. It was a cross sectional study and purposive sampling was used. The present study was conducted among 60 caregivers of epilepsy, those who were willing to participate and those who have satisfied with inclusion and exclusion criteria have been included in the study. The socio demographic data sheet had been used for collecting socio demographic details of the caregivers of individuals with epilepsy. Family interaction pattern scale, family burden interview schedule and WHO Quality of life scale were applied on the caregivers of individuals with epilepsy. Statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS programme 16.0 version. The result found that family interaction pattern has effect on family burden and quality of life. Likewise family burden has greater impact on quality of life. The study highlights the need for family interventional programs to address the specific issues related to family interaction, burden and quality of life of caregivers.

Spirituality, depression and quality of life in medical students in KwaZulu-Natal.

BackgroundThe majority of studies on spirituality demonstrate its positive association with mental health. Despite the increasing number of studies, there remains a dearth of studies emanating from African countries looking at the relationship between mental illness, quality of life and measures of spirituality. The present study evaluates the role of spirituality in relation to current depression and quality of life in medical students, who are known to be at high risk for depression.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of moderate and severe depressive symptoms in this population and explore potential correlations between spirituality, depression and quality of life.Methods230 medical students were surveyed at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Medical School, using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (Zung SDS), Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (SIBS), WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL) and a demographic data sheet.ResultsThere was a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in the medical students, with a significant proportion (15.6%) showing evidence of severe depressive symptoms (indicating likely depressive illness). Those with a history of mental illness or of having attended traditional, complementary or alternate medical practitioners showed higher levels of depression. Lower spirituality was associated with non-adherence to a major religion and a history of mental illness. Quality of life was better in second and fifth year students and poorer in those with a history of mental illness.ConclusionMedical students’ experiences of depression (most probably due to stress) and its relationship with spirituality and quality of life merit further investigation with a view to establishing policy guidelines for dealing with this issue.

Perceived Social Support as a Determinant of Quality of Life Among Medical Students: 6-Month Follow-up Study.

This longitudinal study aimed to identify the relevant factors related to quality of life (QoL) changes in medical students. For this 6-month follow-up study, we enrolled 109 students from a Korean medical school. To assess students' QoL, we used the World Health Organization QoL scale. Possible determinants of student QoL included demographics, fatigue, and social support. A stepwise multivariate analysis identified factors associated with changes of student QoL. Among sources of support, the "friends" category was the main position affecting their overall QoL, and "significant other" had the strongest influence on psychological and social domains. The impact of support from friends on QoL was confirmed in the longitudinal analysis. Final regression models revealed that providing students with more social support and promoting fatigue reduction best improved medical student sense of well-being. Creating stronger student support programs to prevent social detachment and implementing strategies to reduce fatigue can improve QoL in medical students.

Influence of Customer, Foodservice Management and Competitor Environment on Quality of Customer’s Life in Contract Foodservice

The goal of the current study was to analyze major factors for improvement of quality of life in contract foodservice customers. This study investigated how characteristics of customers, foodservice management, and competitors differ in different contract foodservice business environments in order to understand increasing concerns over health, in-house working, and the environment, which are directly connected to work and life satisfaction and company profits. For the foodservice business environment, this study classified environmental factors reported by Duncan (1972) into three factors: customer environment, foodservice management environment, and competitor environment. Multi-regression analysis was conducted on quality of life using the Korean version of the WHO Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Sub-factors of the contract foodservice business environment included foodservice management environment, customer environment, and competitor environment in the order of importance. The results indicate that the foodservice management environment of the company or organization where the customer is employed has the most substantial influence on quality of customer life.

A salutogenic program to enhance sense of coherence and quality of life for older people in the community: A feasibility randomized controlled trial and process evaluation

ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility of a salutogenesis-based self-care program on quality of life, sense of coherence, activation and resilience among older community dwellers. MethodsThis is a feasibility randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four older community-dwellers were recruited from a Singapore senior activity center and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended a 12-week Resource Enhancement and Activation Program. The outcomes were assessed with the Chinese versions of World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, Sense of Coherence, Patient Activation Measure, and Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Process evaluation was conducted using focus groups with the intervention group. ResultsAt the end of the program, the intervention group showed significant improvement in the Sense of Coherence scale and the psychological subscale of the WHO Quality of Life scale compared with the control group. Three themes emerged from the process evaluation: participation in the program, reflection on the experience, and improving the experience. ConclusionA salutogenic self-care approach could be a potential health promotion strategy for older people. Practice implicationsWith improved sense of coherence and psychological aspect of quality of life, older people’s self-care ability may improve, leading to better health and better quality of life.

Examining associations between sexual behaviours and quality of life in older adults.

while sexual behaviours are potentially important for quality of life in older adults, they are under-researched. The current study examined associations between frequency and importance of sexual behaviours and quality of life in older adults. one hundred and thirty-three participants (mean 74 years, SD = 7.1) provided information about the frequency with which they participated in six sexual behaviours and the perceived importance of these: touching/holding hands, embracing/hugging, kissing, mutual stroking, masturbating and intercourse. Participants also completed the WHO Quality of Life scale, providing an overall quality of life score, in addition to the domains of physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment. Participants provided information on their marital status, living arrangements and self-reported health. both the frequency and importance of sexual behaviours were moderately positively correlated with quality of life (r = 0.52 and 0.47, respectively, both P < 0.001). In separate regression analyses, the frequency of sexual behaviours was a significant predictor of quality of life in the social relationships domain (β = 0.225, P < 0.05), and the importance of sexual behaviours was associated with the psychological domain (β = 0.151, P < 0.05), independent of the presence of a spouse/partner and self-reported health. with ageing trends, a broader understanding of the factors that influence quality of life in older adults is increasingly important. The current findings suggest that aspects of sexual behaviour and quality of life were positively associated. Researchers are encouraged to consider aspects of sex and sexuality when exploring determinants of well-being in later life.

Investigation of the effect of changes in muscle strength in gestational age upon fear of falling and quality of life.

The aim of this study is the investigation of the effect of changes in muscle strength in gestational age upon fear of falling and quality of life. This longitudinal, descriptive study included a sample of 37 pregnant women who volunteered to participate. The research data were collected at 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. Data collection instruments included a newly developed questionnaire form, the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale, a visual analog scale, and the Turkish language version of the WHO Quality of Life Scale. Upper body flexibility was measured by the back scratch test, while muscle strength was measured by a handgrip dynamometer and balance by the unipedal stance test. It was found that, as pregnancy advanced, pregnant women had an increased fear of falling, as well as elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Participants suffered significant impairments in their balance, handgrip strength, and quality of life within the physical, psychological, and environmental domains. As pregnancy advances, muscle strength decreases and the fear of falling experienced by pregnant women increases, which significantly impairs the quality of life in the domains of environment, physical, and mental health.

The comparative clinical study of efficacy of Gamisoyo-San (Jiaweixiaoyaosan) on generalized anxiety disorder according to differently manufactured preparations: Multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial

Ethnopharmacological relevanceGamisoyo-San (GSS) is a well-known Traditional Korean Medicine shown to be effective on mood disorders. Aim of the study: The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of Gamisoyo-San on generalized anxiety disorder by its differently manufactured preparations. Materials and methodsMulticenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was set for 147 patients with generalized anxiety disorder recruited from November 1st 2009 to December 16th 2010. They were given Gamisoyo-San individual extract mixture (extraction done for each crude materia medica separately) or Gamisoyo-San multi-compound extract (extraction done for whole materia medica at once) or controlled medication. Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), Korean State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (K-STAI), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Korean Beck Depression Inventroy (K-BDI), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and Korean WHO Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) were evaluated. We also applied Pattern Identification tool for ‘JingJi and ZhengChong (驚悸怔忡, Traditional Korean Medicine term which correlates with generalized anxiety disorder)’ to patients to evaluate different responses among 9 patterns. ResultsHAM-A scores of Gamisoyo-San multi-compound extract group showed greater decrease compared to Gamisoyo-San individual extract mixture group and placebo group, but the difference was insignificant. WHOQOL-BREF scores of Gamisoyo-San multi-compound extract group showed significant increase compared to Gamisoyo-San individual extract mixture group and placebo group. In Heart blood deficiency pattern, the Gamisoyo-San multi-compound extract group showed significant decrease in K-BDI compared to the Gamisoyo-San individual extract mixture group. ConclusionGamisoyo-San did not improve anxiety level of GAD patients. However, it can be useful to improve quality of life, and reduce depressive, obsessive–compulsive, somatic symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Gamisoyo-San multi-compound seemed more effective than Gamisoyo-San individual extract mixture, especially in Heart blood deficiency pattern.

Quality of life and social engagement of alcohol abstainers and users among older adults in South Africa

BackgroundThe literature from developed countries suggests a relationship between alcohol use and quality of life and social engagement, where harmful drinkers have lower quality of life and less social engagement. Despite the high rates of harmful alcohol use in South Africa, little is known about the association between drinking pattern and quality of life and social engagement in this context. We aimed to determine if quality of life and social engagement varied across different drinking patterns among older South African adults, contributed to drinking pattern when controlling for socio-demographic factors, and varied differentially between genders.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of data from the Survey on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE). Alcohol use was measured as self-reports of use over the previous seven days, and we constructed gender-specific alcohol variables. The WHO Quality of Life-scale was used to measure quality of life, and social engagement was measured by frequency of participation in social activities. We used ANOVA to observe differences in quality of life and social engagement scores across drinking patterns, and regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with drinking pattern.ResultsThere were 2572 (84.4%) lifetime abstainers, and 475 (15.6%) persons who had a drink in the last 7 days. In bivariate analysis, quality of life was lowest among at risk drinking men compared to abstainers (OR = 0.21, p = 0.02), although this association was not significant in adjusted analysis. Social engagement did not vary statistically significantly across the drinking patterns in the total sample or within gender.ConclusionsQuality of life and social engagement were not independently associated with drinking pattern among older adults in South Africa in this sample. In order to better understand their alcohol use, further exploratory research is warranted to identify other potentially relevant subjective factors of alcohol use among older adults in South Africa.

Life quality analysis of hepatitis C patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing antiviral therapy following splenectomy

To evaluate the effect of antiviral therapy on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and cirrhosis during the 5-year period following splenectomy to treat hypersplenism. Data of patients with CHC and cirrhosis who had undergone treatment for hypersplenism were retrospectively selected from the hospital database of medical records. The patients were first grouped according to the hypersplenism treatment: splenectomy (group A, 28 cases) and conservative/non-operative (group B, 30 cases). Sub-grouping was carried out according to the CHC treatment: interferon-alpha-2a and ribavirin (15 cases in the A1 group, and 19 cases in the B1 group) and non-antiviral (13 cases in the A2 group, and 11 cases in the B2 group). To determine the intergroup differences in QOL during the 5-year period following the hypersplenism treatment, the QOL was assessed by chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ), listing of specific symptoms (SS), and the World Health Organization QOL scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Between-group statistical comparison of the subjective feeling, physiological status, mental state, and social life relationship of the patients showed no significant differences among the patients who received splenectomy compared to those who received the conservative treatment. However, the QOL of splenectomy-treated patients who received non-antiviral CHC treatment was worse than that of the patients who were given conservative treatment for the hypersplenism and antiviral therapy for the CHC. The patients who received splenectomy and antiviral therapy had better QOL than the other patient group(3.69 +/- 0.75 vs 2.15 +/- 0.98, P = 0.0003). Splenectomy followed by antiviral therapy may improve the QOL of patients with CHC-related cirrhosis and hypersplenism.

Depression and anxiety as potential correlates of post-transplantation renal function and quality of life

The objective of this study was to determine anxiety and depression and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) in renal transplant (RT) recipients. A total of 105 consecutive patients were assessed cross-sectionally at least 3 months after RT. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was applied to assess anxiety and depression. QOL was assessed through the abbreviated version of World Health Organization QOL scale. Patients’ awareness of illness and treatment was assessed through Structured Interview for Renal Transplantation. Nine (8.57%) patients had syndromal anxiety and 9 (8.57%) had syndromal depression. Both these groups had significantly lower scores in almost all domains of QOL compared with their non-anxious and non-depressed counterparts. There were a higher number of hospitalizations and episodes of complication or rejection in post-RT patients with anxiety as compared to those without (P = 0.001). Syndromal depression and anxiety are associated with poor QOL and syndromal anxiety is associated with significantly higher number of hospitalizations, rejections and complications in post-RT patients.

A Comparison of Working And Non-Working Women In Terms of Self-Differentiation, Partner Abuse, Conflict Resolution Tactics, Marital Satisfaction And Quality of Life

Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare working and nonworking women with regard to self-differentiation, partner abuse, conflict resolution tactics and the association of these variables with marital satisfaction and quality of life. Method: Using specific inclusion criteria, a sample of 160 women (80 working, and 80 non-working women) were recruited for the study. Data were collected using The Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised, Partner Abuse Scale—Physical, The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, Miller Social Intimacy Scale, The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, The Comprehensive Marital Satisfaction Scale and the WHO Quality of Life Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis. Results: Findings revealed significant group differences, with working women reporting greater intimacy, adjustment, mari - tal satisfaction and better quality of life and non-working women reporting greater partner abuse, and the use of psycho- logical aggression, physical assault and physical injury to resolve conflicts. Results of regression analysis indicated that emo- tional cut-off, a component of self-differentiation, accounted for 42.2% and 16.9% of the variance in quality of life among working and non-working women respectively. Among non-working women, physical assault as a conflict resolution tactic accounted for an additional 33% of the variance in quality of life. Findings point to significant differences between working and non-working women. A significant finding was that most women in both groups reported poor adjustment with their spouses, although working women tended to report greater intimacy. Conclusions: It can be concluded that, working women enjoy better quality of life than non-working women who tend to experience greater partner abuse.

Quality of life and related factors among family members of tuberculosis patients

To understand the quality of life and related factors among family members of tuberculosis patients and provide a reference for the improvement of their quality of life. A total of 222 family members of tuberculosis patients at 4 tuberculosis hospitals in Changsha and 327 healthy controls were surveyed with structured questionnaire, the short version of the WHO quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF). The mean score of the family members of tuberculosis patients in the psychological domain, physical domain and environmental domains was lower than that of the control group (P<0.01). Multiple linear regression showed that gender, age, monthly income, educational level, patient condition and knowledge of tuberculosis prevention and treatment were the factors affecting their quality of life. The quality of life of the family members of tuberculosis patients is lower than that of the control group.

Protectors of Indigenous Adolescents’ Post-disaster Adaptation in Taiwan

The study examined the protectors of post-disaster adaption in indigenous adolescent survivors of a devastating typhoon in Taiwan. In total, 152 adolescent participants were recruited from two mountainous districts that were the most severely destroyed by Typhoon Morakot (August 7, 2009). A self-reported questionnaire with five major sections including: (1) sociodemographic information and previous traumatic experience; (2) the adolescent-family inventory of life events and changes; (3) the Family APGAR Index; (4) the Family Satisfaction Scale; and (5) the WHO Quality of Life Scale was administered to the adolescents. Multiple regression was performed to analyze the collected data. Gender, religion, and perceptions of overall life changes, family functioning, and satisfaction with family were found to significantly affected post-disaster life adaptation in indigenous adolescents. The findings suggest that clinicians should be more sensitive to gender differences, strengthen adolescents’ beliefs and family systems, and minimize transitional post-disaster experience in order to assist indigenous survivors with coping with disasters.

Association of Sleep Dysfunction and Emotional Status With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Korea

Background/AimsSleep disturbances and emotional dysfunction are commonly associated with gastroeophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aims of this study were to evaluate GERD symptoms and disturbance in erosive reflux disease (ERD) and nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients, and to compare sleep dysfunction, depressive mood, anxiety and quality of life (QOL) among the control, ERD and NERD patients in Korea.MethodsThe Korean subjects were enrolled between 2010 and 2012, classified into 3 groups; the control group with no symptom and normal endoscopic findings, the ERD group with erosive esophagitis and the NERD group with more than one episode of heartburn or acid regurgitation per week, positive response to proton pump inhibitor, and normal endoscopic findings. Questionnaire included GERD symptoms, GERD impact scale (GIS) and daytime pathological sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale), sleep dysfunction (Pittsburgh sleep quality index, PSQI), depression and anxiety (Hospital anxiety and depression scale, HADS) and QOL (WHO quality of life scale abbreviated version, WHOQOL-BREF).ResultsA total of 217 subjects were enrolled as follows; control (n = 70), ERD (n = 70) and NERD (n = 77). Impact of symptom of GIS score was higher in the NERD (9.2 ± 0.4) than in the ERD (6.5 ± 0.3) group (P < 0.001). Sleep dysfunctions were more frequent in GERD than the control group (PSQI score [P = 0.021]). Anxiety subscale of HAD score was higher in NERD (7.0 ± 0.5, P = 0.002) and ERD (6.2 ± 0.7, P = 0.004) groups than control (4.3 ± 0.7) group. WHOQOL-BREF scores in NERD (54.9 ± 2.3) and ERD (57.8 ± 2.4) groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (63.8 ± 2.4) (P = 0.002; P = 0.014, respectively). ConclusionsThe patients with NERD than ERD suffered more from the symptoms and disturbance in Korea. Sleep dysfunction and anxiety mood were higher and QOL was decreased in GERD, especially in NERD, suggesting that those factors might affect the severity of NERD.

The status of quality of life in schizophrenics with Yao or Han nationality at convalescence

Objective To explore the status of quality of life in schizophrenics with Yao or Han nationality at convalescence who were living in Yuebei district,and to provide support for improvement of their quality of life.Methods 30 hospitalized schizophrenics with Yao nationality at convalescence were enrolled into a study group,while 30 patients with Han nationality at convalescence were included in a control group.Qualities of life was assessed by using the WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL).The factors which were likely to influence quality of life were analyzed.Results The study group had significantly lower scores of the WHOQOL in physical health,psychological health,social function,and total assessment than the control group did (P＜ 0.01).Conclusions The quality of life is significantly lower in the schizophrenics with Yao nationality than in those with Han nationality.The main factors influencing quality of life in schizophrenics with Yao nationality are economic status,living environment,medical service,and social and familial support system. Key words: Convalescence; Schizophrenics; Yao nationality; Han nationality; Quality of life

Prospective Study to Determine the Efficacy of Day Hospital Care to Improve Treatment Adherence for Hospitalized Schizophrenic Patients

MethodsZZAmong schizophrenic patients hospitalized between 2011 and 2012, 23 day hospital care patients and 40 control subjects were included in the study. All candidates underwent Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, Drug Attitude Inventory, WHO Quality of Life scale, and Psychological Well-Being Scale when their symptoms were stabilized during hospitalization, and after being discharged, 23 patients received day hospital care for two months and then changed to out-patient care while 40 patients received out-patient care immediately after discharge. At the point of two months of out-patient care, the treatment adherence of the two groups was evaluated ; tracking observation was performed until February, 2013, and survival rates were compared between the two groups.

Prevalence, Work-Loss Days and Quality of Life of Community Dwelling Subjects with Depressive Symptoms

The nationwide prevalence of major depressive disorder in Korea is lower than most countries, despite the high suicide rate. To explain this unexpectedly low prevalence, we examined the functional disability and quality of life in community-dwelling subjects with significant depressive symptoms not diagnosable as depressive disorder. A total of 1,029 subjects, randomly chosen from catchment areas, were interviewed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, WHO Quality of Life scale, and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule. Those with scores over 21 on the depression scale were interviewed by a psychiatrist for diagnostic confirmation. Among community-dwelling subjects, the 1-month prevalence of major depressive disorder was 2.2%, but the 1-month prevalence of depressive symptoms not diagnosable as depressive disorder was 14.1%. Depressive disorders were the cause of 24.7% of work loss days, while depressive symptoms not diagnosable as depressive disorder were the cause of 17.2% of work loss days. These findings support the dimensional or spectrum approach to depressive disorder in the community and might be the missing link between the apparent low prevalence of depressive disorder and high suicide rate in Korea.

Effects of infertility on gender differences in marital relationship and quality of life: a case-control study of Turkish couples

Although there are many studies trying to evaluate the effect of infertility on marital relations (MR) and quality of life (QoL) in developed counties, there have been no studies in Turkey. As in many societies around the world, lack of pregnancy and the resulting childlessness are often highly stigmatized, leading to profound social suffering for infertile couples in Turkey. This study was planned as a case-control study in order to investigate the effects of infertility on MR and QoL. It was conducted among 58 primary infertile and 51 fertile couples. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the World Health Organization QoL Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were applied at the infertility department of the Istanbul University's faculty of medicine. The t-test, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used. The socio-demographic properties were similar for both groups. The QoL average score was higher for the infertile group. There were no gender differences in QoL for infertile couples. The total DAS score was higher than the cut-off score for both groups (114.44 ± 18.53 for infertile, 110.29 ± 18.28 for fertile couples; p>0.05). Infertile women's DAS and QoL scores were higher than the fertile women's (p<0.05). Other than in the social domain, all QoL scores were higher for infertile men than fertile men (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the DAS and QoL scores. It was determined that infertility did not have a negative impact on MR and QoL measurements. There were no gender differences.

Subjective positive well-being

Among the seven models of positive mental health so clearly described by George Vaillant in this issue of World Psychiatry, the model of subjective well-being, reflecting the positive tone of the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health, has cross-cultural validity. Actually, Vaillant himself refers to the single-item question “How do you feel about your life as a whole?” as a simple candidate for such a cross-culturally valid measure. In the WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL), another “global” question is: “How would you rate your quality of life?”. This item is measured on a “bipolar” scale with such answer categories as “poor”, “neither poor nor good”, and “good” 1. The WHOQOL has been found useful in many cross-cultural studies 1. In the late 1970s, the Index Medicus accepted self-reported quality of life scales as outcomes in clinical studies. The most frequently used quality of life scales in the 1980s and 1990s were the Psychological General Well-Being Scale 2 and the Short-Form 36 item health survey (SF-36) 3. Psychometric analyses of these scales identified the factors of physical versus mental health. The WHO (Five) Well-being Index (WHO-5) was then developed for the purpose of measuring positive mental health 4. The WHO-5 includes the following five items: a) feeling cheerful and in good spirits, b) feeling calm and relaxed, c) feeling active and vigorous, d) feeling fresh and rested when waking up, and e) feeling interested in day-to-day activities. The Likert answer categories, which take the past two weeks into account, range from “all of the time” to “at no time”. As in the SF-36, the total score on the WHO-5 ranges from 0 to 100, where high scores signify better well-being. Decreased positive well-being as measured on WHO-5 is a sensitive indicator of mental health problems 5, and in clinical trials the goal of treatment is to move the scores up to the mean scores in the general population, i.e. approximately 70 6. Subjective psychological well-being or health-related quality of life is often considered to be a rather individualistic, personal or idiographic issue, implying that a cross-cultural definition is very difficult to obtain. As discussed elsewhere 7, subjective well-being might in the first place be considered as a self-reflective, private language in which the person is communicating with herself or himself from the moment when she or he wakes up, perceiving and planning the day, having emotional appetite for starting her or his day. However, studies all over the world have indicated that the WHO-5 items seem to cover basic life perceptions of well-being, allowing this private language to be translated into a simple language of communication 6,7. In Table 1 of his paper, Vaillant demonstrates that subjective well-being indeed predicted objective mental health with the highest coefficient of correlation when compared to the other models of positive health over a time span of 15 years. The predictive validity of the WHO-5 in a 6-year survival analysis of cardiology patients was also found to be high 8. Vaillant states that “chemicals can alleviate mental illness but do not improve healthy brain function”. The pharmacopsychometric triangle has recently been introduced in trials of antidepressants 6,7,9. The outcomes of pharmacotherapeutic chemicals are hereby triangularized. Antidepressants are not intended to directly treat decreased quality of life, but to treat depressive illness (A) with as few side effects as possible (B). When the balance between (A) and (B) is evaluated by the patients themselves on subjective well-being scales such as the WHO-5 (C), where the goal is to move the scores up into the area of the general population mean scores 6, antidepressants do not, as concluded by Vaillant, enhance mental health beyond this level. Forty years ago, the great American psychopharmacologist L. Hollister 6 taught me that, when treating a 35-year old man for a major depressive episode with an antidepressant, we can move his depression scores down to remission over 6 weeks and then, hopefully, in the relapse prevention continuation therapy, bring him out of the depressive episode. On the other hand, we are not able to then turn the patient into a great violinist if he never had held a violin in his hands prior to treatment. Within the field of clinical medicine we as psychiatrists do our best to restore the brain functions of our patients suffering from mental disorders, using subjective well-being as an essential goal of treatment within the pharmacopsychometric triangle.