
Past Issues
Construct Validity of the Quality of Life for Patients with Schizophrenia
Shu-Chun Lee, Jin-Ding Lin, En-Chi Chiu, For-Wey Lung
Objective: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become one of the
most valuable indicators of treatment in patients with schizophrenia. The purpose
of this study was to establish the construct validity of eight domains in a HRQoL
scale. Methods: From four psychiatric rehabilitation centers, 237 patients were
chosen for participation in the study. Inclusion criteria were a DSM-IV-R diagnosis
of schizophrenia. Quality of life was measured using the Quality of Life for Mental
Disorders (QoLMD) scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was chosen to
investigate the construct of the QoLMD. Results:This model of HRQoL for pa-
tients with schizophrenia was acceptable (Chi-square = 1004.484 (df = 789), p =
0.192, GFI = 0.852, RMSEA = 0.034, TLI = 0.940). The relationship between
eight domains of the QoLMD can be interpretive into three parts: (A) under family
support, patients with schizophrenia had significantly directly related to mental
and physical health (β = 0.849 and 0.738) and significantly indirectly related to
HRQoL (i.e., life satisfaction, autonomy, health maintenance); (B) under physical
health, schizophrenia patients had significantly directly related to HRQoL (β =
0.745-0.921) (p < 0.001); and (C) under mental health had significantly directly
related to physical health (β = 0.217) (p < 0.05). Conclusion:The SEM revealed
that HRQoL was interpreted by the pathways between eight domains of QoLMD,
and therefore it made clinical therapists understood clearly about the correlation
and mutual-influential pathway between HRQoL and QoLMD.
Key Word | health-related quality of life, severe and persistent mental illness, construct validity, structural equation modeling |
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