Perceived satisfaction from everyday life among chronic schizophrenics: influences of demographic and clinical factors

Background

The purpose of this research was the study of possible influences and correlations of the satisfaction in everyday life among chronic schizophrenics, who are being supported from the present system of community psychiatry of Greece, due to some particular demographic and clinical factors.

Material and Methods

102 patients (56 men, 46 women) aged 27–70 years old, who live in alternative residences (50 people) or with their family (52 people) and fulfilled the criteria a) of schizophrenia according to ICD-10 and b) of chronicity, were examined. The average time of their education was 8.99 years. The patients were evaluated with the following scales: Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale (SLDS), GAF and MMSE. Patients with neuro-degenerative diseases and severe cognitive dysfunction, as well as alcohol and substance abusers were excluded from the study.

Results

According to the analysis of the data it was found that the patients' satisfaction from everyday life: a) correlates negatively with GAF scale (Pearson's r = -0.394 and p < 0.01), and with the existence of a physical disability (Spearman's rho = -0.234 and p < 0.05), b) does not correlate with age, sex and years of education, c) shows no statistical difference in the perceived satisfaction from patients' everyday life between those who reside in their houses and those who stay in transitional hostels and in supervised apartments, d) there is a difference in the perceived satisfaction from everyday life where their entanglement or not with community services is concerned [t (100) = 2.28, p < 0.05], e) there is a difference [t (67) = 3.04, p < 0.01] between the patients who have a stable occupation and those who do not.

Discussion

The satisfaction which chronic schizophrenics who live in alternatives, residences derive from their everyday life, in the frame of a developing system of community psychiatry in Greece, is correlated and influenced from certain demographic and clinical factors (functioning, physical disability), while it is not influenced from others (age, sex, years of education). The chronic schizophrenics who reside in transitional hostels and in supervised apartments can obtain the same satisfaction from their everyday life as those who reside in their houses. The patients who have a stable occupation report a better satisfaction from their everyday life than those who do not.