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Achieving symptomatic remission, as defined by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group, is intended tobe a meaningful outcome for individuals with schizophrenia, resulting in enhanced well-being. Cross-sectionalstudies have reported an association between symptomatic remission and subjective quality of life (QoL). Longitudinal studies aimed at examining this association have showed mixed results. The aim of this study was toexplore the relationship between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL, both cross-sectionally andlongitudinally. The study comprised data from what were at most 386 patients with schizophrenia, of whom 122–140 werefollowed over a period of four years. Based on cross-sectional remission status and longitudinal remissionpattern, differences in subjective QoL were explored. Remission status was assessed using the Positive andNegative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and subjective QoL using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Both the cross-sectional and the longitudinal approach showed that patients in symptomatic remission hadsignificantly higher subjective QoL. Patients who were in non-remission at baseline, but who achieved remissionat follow-up, also had significantly higher subjective QoL at follow-up compared with baseline. The results from the study show a clear association between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL. However, achieving symptomatic remission does not appear to be a guarantee of sustained subjective QoL, andonly continued stable remission appears to result in such an outcome., This paper was included as a manuscripts in Madeleine Johansson's doctoral thesis entitled 'Longitudinellt perspektiv på symtomatisk remission vid schizofreni' 2023:14.

Achieving symptomatic remission, as defined by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group, is intended tobe a meaningful outcome for individuals with schizophrenia, resulting in enhanced well-being. Cross-sectionalstudies have reported an association between symptomatic remission and subjective quality of life (QoL). Longitudinal studies aimed at examining this association have showed mixed results. The aim of this study was toexplore the relationship between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL, both cross-sectionally andlongitudinally. The study comprised data from what were at most 386 patients with schizophrenia, of whom 122–140 werefollowed over a period of four years. Based on cross-sectional remission status and longitudinal remissionpattern, differences in subjective QoL were explored. Remission status was assessed using the Positive andNegative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and subjective QoL using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Both the cross-sectional and the longitudinal approach showed that patients in symptomatic remission hadsignificantly higher subjective QoL. Patients who were in non-remission at baseline, but who achieved remissionat follow-up, also had significantly higher subjective QoL at follow-up compared with baseline. The results from the study show a clear association between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL. However, achieving symptomatic remission does not appear to be a guarantee of sustained subjective QoL, andonly continued stable remission appears to result in such an outcome., This paper was included as a manuscripts in Madeleine Johansson's doctoral thesis entitled 'Longitudinellt perspektiv på symtomatisk remission vid schizofreni' 2023:14.

Objective: The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the remission criteria according to the Remisson in Schizophrenia Working Group (RWSG), mainly from a longitudinal perspective. Paper I showed that all remission symptoms in the RSWG criteria, affected the remission status in the cross-sectional setting. In the longitudinal setting, the symptoms Delusions and Hallucinatory behavior contributed mostly to the fluctuation between remission and non-remission, while negative symptoms were more prominent in the group that never reached remission. Finally, the sustainability of remission was significantly longer when only minimal symptom intensity occurred, compared with mild. Paper II showed that the cognitive areas associated with long-term remission pattern were executive functioning, working memory and verbal functioning, where significant better results were shown in the group of stable remission with only minimal symptoms compared to the group never reaching remission. Verbal functioning was the only cognitive area that could predict long-term remission pattern, as a better result increased the probability of being in long-term remission. Paper III focused on the patient’s perspective and examined the relationship between subjective quality of life (SQoL) and remission. The paper showed significant associations between a better SQoL, self-assessed with Short Form Health Survey-36, and both cross-sectional remission and long-term. A significant better SQoL was present regardless of being in stable remission over time or if remission was reached during the study period. Conclusions: The thesis support that the RSWG criteria for remission is a valuable concept, also from a longitudinal perspective. Taken together, the results emphasize the heterogeneity of schizophrenia, where different groups within the disorder show different clinical characteristics. This thesis highlights the importance of regular assessments of broad clinical status, to support a higher f, I denna avhandling granskas remissionskriterierna enligt Remission Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) för personer med schizofreni ur ett longitudinellt perspektiv. Studie I visade att alla inkluderade symtom i RSWG-kriterierna bidrog till att avgöra remissionsstatus. Negativa symtom bidrog mest till förekomsten av icke-remission över tid, medan växlingen mellan remission och icke-remission varierade mer med positiva symtom. En ökad hållbarhet i remission förelåg vid en minimal symtomintensitet, jämfört med en mild. Studie II visade att patienterna i stabil remission hade bättre kognitiv funktion, jämfört med de som aldrig var i remission. Ju bättre verbal funktion desto högre sannolikhet förelåg dessutom att tillhöra gruppen i stabil remission över tid. Studie III visade att den subjektiva livskvaliteten (SQoL) var bättre vid remission jämfört med icke-remission. En bättre SQoL förelåg oavsett om remissionsförekomsten över tid var stabil eller om den uppnåddes under studieperioden, både för den mentala och fysiska hälsan. Avhandlingen stöder remissionskriteriernas användbarhet ur ett longitudinellt perspektiv, och återspeglar sjukdomens heterogenitet. Avhandlingen poängterar vikten av att systematiskt följa upp de i avhandlingen undersökta faktorerna för att öka förekomsten samt hållbarheten i symtomatisk remission., Clinical Longterm Investigation of Psychosis in Sweden (CLIPS)

Achieving symptomatic remission, as defined by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group, is intended tobe a meaningful outcome for individuals with schizophrenia, resulting in enhanced well-being. Cross-sectionalstudies have reported an association between symptomatic remission and subjective quality of life (QoL). Longitudinal studies aimed at examining this association have showed mixed results. The aim of this study was toexplore the relationship between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL, both cross-sectionally andlongitudinally. The study comprised data from what were at most 386 patients with schizophrenia, of whom 122–140 werefollowed over a period of four years. Based on cross-sectional remission status and longitudinal remissionpattern, differences in subjective QoL were explored. Remission status was assessed using the Positive andNegative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and subjective QoL using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Both the cross-sectional and the longitudinal approach showed that patients in symptomatic remission hadsignificantly higher subjective QoL. Patients who were in non-remission at baseline, but who achieved remissionat follow-up, also had significantly higher subjective QoL at follow-up compared with baseline. The results from the study show a clear association between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL. However, achieving symptomatic remission does not appear to be a guarantee of sustained subjective QoL, andonly continued stable remission appears to result in such an outcome., This paper was included as a manuscripts in Madeleine Johansson's doctoral thesis entitled 'Longitudinellt perspektiv på symtomatisk remission vid schizofreni' 2023:14.

Achieving symptomatic remission, as defined by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group, is intended tobe a meaningful outcome for individuals with schizophrenia, resulting in enhanced well-being. Cross-sectionalstudies have reported an association between symptomatic remission and subjective quality of life (QoL). Longitudinal studies aimed at examining this association have showed mixed results. The aim of this study was toexplore the relationship between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL, both cross-sectionally andlongitudinally. The study comprised data from what were at most 386 patients with schizophrenia, of whom 122–140 werefollowed over a period of four years. Based on cross-sectional remission status and longitudinal remissionpattern, differences in subjective QoL were explored. Remission status was assessed using the Positive andNegative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and subjective QoL using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Both the cross-sectional and the longitudinal approach showed that patients in symptomatic remission hadsignificantly higher subjective QoL. Patients who were in non-remission at baseline, but who achieved remissionat follow-up, also had significantly higher subjective QoL at follow-up compared with baseline. The results from the study show a clear association between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL. However, achieving symptomatic remission does not appear to be a guarantee of sustained subjective QoL, andonly continued stable remission appears to result in such an outcome., This paper was included as a manuscripts in Madeleine Johansson's doctoral thesis entitled 'Longitudinellt perspektiv på symtomatisk remission vid schizofreni' 2023:14.

Objective: The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the remission criteria according to the Remisson in Schizophrenia Working Group (RWSG), mainly from a longitudinal perspective. Paper I showed that all remission symptoms in the RSWG criteria, affected the remission status in the cross-sectional setting. In the longitudinal setting, the symptoms Delusions and Hallucinatory behavior contributed mostly to the fluctuation between remission and non-remission, while negative symptoms were more prominent in the group that never reached remission. Finally, the sustainability of remission was significantly longer when only minimal symptom intensity occurred, compared with mild. Paper II showed that the cognitive areas associated with long-term remission pattern were executive functioning, working memory and verbal functioning, where significant better results were shown in the group of stable remission with only minimal symptoms compared to the group never reaching remission. Verbal functioning was the only cognitive area that could predict long-term remission pattern, as a better result increased the probability of being in long-term remission. Paper III focused on the patient’s perspective and examined the relationship between subjective quality of life (SQoL) and remission. The paper showed significant associations between a better SQoL, self-assessed with Short Form Health Survey-36, and both cross-sectional remission and long-term. A significant better SQoL was present regardless of being in stable remission over time or if remission was reached during the study period. Conclusions: The thesis support that the RSWG criteria for remission is a valuable concept, also from a longitudinal perspective. Taken together, the results emphasize the heterogeneity of schizophrenia, where different groups within the disorder show different clinical characteristics. This thesis highlights the importance of regular assessments of broad clinical status, to support a higher f, I denna avhandling granskas remissionskriterierna enligt Remission Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) för personer med schizofreni ur ett longitudinellt perspektiv. Studie I visade att alla inkluderade symtom i RSWG-kriterierna bidrog till att avgöra remissionsstatus. Negativa symtom bidrog mest till förekomsten av icke-remission över tid, medan växlingen mellan remission och icke-remission varierade mer med positiva symtom. En ökad hållbarhet i remission förelåg vid en minimal symtomintensitet, jämfört med en mild. Studie II visade att patienterna i stabil remission hade bättre kognitiv funktion, jämfört med de som aldrig var i remission. Ju bättre verbal funktion desto högre sannolikhet förelåg dessutom att tillhöra gruppen i stabil remission över tid. Studie III visade att den subjektiva livskvaliteten (SQoL) var bättre vid remission jämfört med icke-remission. En bättre SQoL förelåg oavsett om remissionsförekomsten över tid var stabil eller om den uppnåddes under studieperioden, både för den mentala och fysiska hälsan. Avhandlingen stöder remissionskriteriernas användbarhet ur ett longitudinellt perspektiv, och återspeglar sjukdomens heterogenitet. Avhandlingen poängterar vikten av att systematiskt följa upp de i avhandlingen undersökta faktorerna för att öka förekomsten samt hållbarheten i symtomatisk remission., Clinical Longterm Investigation of Psychosis in Sweden (CLIPS)

Achieving symptomatic remission, as defined by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group, is intended tobe a meaningful outcome for individuals with schizophrenia, resulting in enhanced well-being. Cross-sectionalstudies have reported an association between symptomatic remission and subjective quality of life (QoL). Longitudinal studies aimed at examining this association have showed mixed results. The aim of this study was toexplore the relationship between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL, both cross-sectionally andlongitudinally. The study comprised data from what were at most 386 patients with schizophrenia, of whom 122–140 werefollowed over a period of four years. Based on cross-sectional remission status and longitudinal remissionpattern, differences in subjective QoL were explored. Remission status was assessed using the Positive andNegative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and subjective QoL using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Both the cross-sectional and the longitudinal approach showed that patients in symptomatic remission hadsignificantly higher subjective QoL. Patients who were in non-remission at baseline, but who achieved remissionat follow-up, also had significantly higher subjective QoL at follow-up compared with baseline. The results from the study show a clear association between symptomatic remission and subjective QoL. However, achieving symptomatic remission does not appear to be a guarantee of sustained subjective QoL, andonly continued stable remission appears to result in such an outcome., This paper was included as a manuscripts in Madeleine Johansson's doctoral thesis entitled 'Longitudinellt perspektiv på symtomatisk remission vid schizofreni' 2023:14.

Objective: The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the remission criteria according to the Remisson in Schizophrenia Working Group (RWSG), mainly from a longitudinal perspective. Paper I showed that all remission symptoms in the RSWG criteria, affected the remission status in the cross-sectional setting. In the longitudinal setting, the symptoms Delusions and Hallucinatory behavior contributed mostly to the fluctuation between remission and non-remission, while negative symptoms were more prominent in the group that never reached remission. Finally, the sustainability of remission was significantly longer when only minimal symptom intensity occurred, compared with mild. Paper II showed that the cognitive areas associated with long-term remission pattern were executive functioning, working memory and verbal functioning, where significant better results were shown in the group of stable remission with only minimal symptoms compared to the group never reaching remission. Verbal functioning was the only cognitive area that could predict long-term remission pattern, as a better result increased the probability of being in long-term remission. Paper III focused on the patient’s perspective and examined the relationship between subjective quality of life (SQoL) and remission. The paper showed significant associations between a better SQoL, self-assessed with Short Form Health Survey-36, and both cross-sectional remission and long-term. A significant better SQoL was present regardless of being in stable remission over time or if remission was reached during the study period. Conclusions: The thesis support that the RSWG criteria for remission is a valuable concept, also from a longitudinal perspective. Taken together, the results emphasize the heterogeneity of schizophrenia, where different groups within the disorder show different clinical characteristics. This thesis highlights the importance of regular assessments of broad clinical status, to support a higher f, I denna avhandling granskas remissionskriterierna enligt Remission Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) för personer med schizofreni ur ett longitudinellt perspektiv. Studie I visade att alla inkluderade symtom i RSWG-kriterierna bidrog till att avgöra remissionsstatus. Negativa symtom bidrog mest till förekomsten av icke-remission över tid, medan växlingen mellan remission och icke-remission varierade mer med positiva symtom. En ökad hållbarhet i remission förelåg vid en minimal symtomintensitet, jämfört med en mild. Studie II visade att patienterna i stabil remission hade bättre kognitiv funktion, jämfört med de som aldrig var i remission. Ju bättre verbal funktion desto högre sannolikhet förelåg dessutom att tillhöra gruppen i stabil remission över tid. Studie III visade att den subjektiva livskvaliteten (SQoL) var bättre vid remission jämfört med icke-remission. En bättre SQoL förelåg oavsett om remissionsförekomsten över tid var stabil eller om den uppnåddes under studieperioden, både för den mentala och fysiska hälsan. Avhandlingen stöder remissionskriteriernas användbarhet ur ett longitudinellt perspektiv, och återspeglar sjukdomens heterogenitet. Avhandlingen poängterar vikten av att systematiskt följa upp de i avhandlingen undersökta faktorerna för att öka förekomsten samt hållbarheten i symtomatisk remission., Clinical Longterm Investigation of Psychosis in Sweden (CLIPS)

Då tidigare forskning har stort fokus på psykopatologi finns intresse att undersöka ungas vanor online i förhållande till psykiskt välbefinnande. I denna enkätbaserade tvärsnittsstudie undersöktes hur ungas vanor online (socialt användande, huvudsaklig aktivitet och tid), mattering, anti-mattering, och upplevelse av restriktioner under Covid-19-pandemin relaterar till ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet. Svar från 125st ungdomar mellan 18–25 år analyserades med hjälp av deskriptiv statistik, Spearman’s sambandsanalyser, Multipel regressionsanalys, MANOVA och loglinjär analys. Resultatet gav blandade svar angående tid (<4, 4+ h/dag) där tid inte på egen hand kunde predicera subjektiv livskvalitet, samtidigt visades ett samband mellan att spendera över 4 h/dag aktivt online och lägre subjektiv livskvalitet. Socialt användande var inte relaterat till något av utfallsmåtten. Huvudsaklig aktivitet (‘Gaming’, ‘Sociala medier’, ‘Gaming och sociala medier lika mycket’) uteslöts ur analys på grund av snedvridet urval. Resultaten av denna studie kunde alltså inte fullt ut stödja vikten av unga människors vanor online med avseende på ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet. Dock gav resultaten att mattering och anti-mattering tillsammans kan förklara varians i subjektiv livskvalitet och ensamhet. Dessutom erhölls samband mellan upplevelsen av att pandemins restriktioner påverkat hur betydelsefull och betydelselös den unge kände sig med mattering, anti-mattering, subjektiv livskvalitet och ensamhet. Föreliggande studie bidrar till ny kunskap om mattering, anti-mattering, ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet hos unga. Detta genom att visa hur viktiga mellanmänskliga upplevelser är i tider av osäkerhet. Studien problematiserar också att ungas vanor online kan behöva operationaliseras på andra vis för att representera kvalitet snarare än kvantitet., Previous research has a strong focus on psychopathology rather than psychological well-being regarding online habits of young people. This cross-sectional study based on a survey explored how online habits of young people (social usage, main activity and time), mattering, anti-mattering, and experience of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic relates to loneliness and subjective quality of life (QoL). Responses from 125 people between the ages of 18–25 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation analyzes, multiple regression analysis, MANOVA and loglinear analysis. Results were indecisive regarding time (<4, 4+ h/day). Time on its own could not predict subjective QoL, whereas spending over 4 h/day actively online was associated with lower subjective QoL. Social usage was not related to the outcome measures. Main activity(‘Gaming’, ‘Social media’, ‘Gaming and Social Media equally’) was excluded from analysis due to skewness. Thus, the results of this study could not fully support the importance of young peoples’ habits online regarding loneliness and subjective QoL. However, the results showed that mattering and anti-mattering together could predict subjective QoL and loneliness. In addition, the experience of how restrictions affected how significant and insignificant the participants felt was associated with mattering, anti-mattering, subjective QoL and loneliness. Present study contributes knowledge about mattering, anti-mattering, loneliness and subjective QoL in young people. This by showing how important interpersonal experiences are in times of uncertainty. The study also problematizes that young people's online habits may need to be operationalized in other ways to represent quality rather than quantity.

Då tidigare forskning har stort fokus på psykopatologi finns intresse att undersöka ungas vanor online i förhållande till psykiskt välbefinnande. I denna enkätbaserade tvärsnittsstudie undersöktes hur ungas vanor online (socialt användande, huvudsaklig aktivitet och tid), mattering, anti-mattering, och upplevelse av restriktioner under Covid-19-pandemin relaterar till ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet. Svar från 125st ungdomar mellan 18–25 år analyserades med hjälp av deskriptiv statistik, Spearman’s sambandsanalyser, Multipel regressionsanalys, MANOVA och loglinjär analys. Resultatet gav blandade svar angående tid (<4, 4+ h/dag) där tid inte på egen hand kunde predicera subjektiv livskvalitet, samtidigt visades ett samband mellan att spendera över 4 h/dag aktivt online och lägre subjektiv livskvalitet. Socialt användande var inte relaterat till något av utfallsmåtten. Huvudsaklig aktivitet (‘Gaming’, ‘Sociala medier’, ‘Gaming och sociala medier lika mycket’) uteslöts ur analys på grund av snedvridet urval. Resultaten av denna studie kunde alltså inte fullt ut stödja vikten av unga människors vanor online med avseende på ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet. Dock gav resultaten att mattering och anti-mattering tillsammans kan förklara varians i subjektiv livskvalitet och ensamhet. Dessutom erhölls samband mellan upplevelsen av att pandemins restriktioner påverkat hur betydelsefull och betydelselös den unge kände sig med mattering, anti-mattering, subjektiv livskvalitet och ensamhet. Föreliggande studie bidrar till ny kunskap om mattering, anti-mattering, ensamhet och subjektiv livskvalitet hos unga. Detta genom att visa hur viktiga mellanmänskliga upplevelser är i tider av osäkerhet. Studien problematiserar också att ungas vanor online kan behöva operationaliseras på andra vis för att representera kvalitet snarare än kvantitet., Previous research has a strong focus on psychopathology rather than psychological well-being regarding online habits of young people. This cross-sectional study based on a survey explored how online habits of young people (social usage, main activity and time), mattering, anti-mattering, and experience of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic relates to loneliness and subjective quality of life (QoL). Responses from 125 people between the ages of 18–25 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation analyzes, multiple regression analysis, MANOVA and loglinear analysis. Results were indecisive regarding time (<4, 4+ h/day). Time on its own could not predict subjective QoL, whereas spending over 4 h/day actively online was associated with lower subjective QoL. Social usage was not related to the outcome measures. Main activity(‘Gaming’, ‘Social media’, ‘Gaming and Social Media equally’) was excluded from analysis due to skewness. Thus, the results of this study could not fully support the importance of young peoples’ habits online regarding loneliness and subjective QoL. However, the results showed that mattering and anti-mattering together could predict subjective QoL and loneliness. In addition, the experience of how restrictions affected how significant and insignificant the participants felt was associated with mattering, anti-mattering, subjective QoL and loneliness. Present study contributes knowledge about mattering, anti-mattering, loneliness and subjective QoL in young people. This by showing how important interpersonal experiences are in times of uncertainty. The study also problematizes that young people's online habits may need to be operationalized in other ways to represent quality rather than quantity.

We tested the association between gender-based violence (GBV), subjective quality of life, and mental distress manifested by anxiety, depression, and stress among Palestinian women exposed to political and military violence. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Berlin Social Support Scales, WHO-5 subjective Quality of Life Scale, Women's Agency Scale 61, and Violence Against Women Questionnaire were administered to 332 purposely selected participants. Structural equation modeling was applied to address the study hypothesis. A conceptual model depicting GBV as a predictor, mental distress as an outcome variable, and agency and social support as mediators was confirmed.

The article presents summarized results of theoretical and empirical research on the problem of achieving and improving the subjective quality of life in an extreme region. One of the crucial factors influencing the assessments of the quality of life in various groups of respondents is found to be the principle of personal activity; the internal and external factors contributing to the “subject-environment” harmony are identified and a targeted model for achieving a high level of quality of life involving a combination of lifestyle parameters, personal resources, and external opportunities is proposed; the strategies of interaction within the “subject-environment” system in an extreme region at different levels of quality of life are described. The obtained results can give a start to new theoretical and empirical research on the specifics of the quality of life in different social groups and allow specifying the goals, objectives, directions, and the main ways of helping and assisting different segments of the population to ensure a high quality of life depending on both the nature of external influences and the subjective assessment of the environment., El artículo presenta resultados resumidos de investigaciones teóricas y empíricas sobre el problema de lograr y mejorar la calidad de vida subjetiva en una región extrema. Uno de los factores cruciales que influyen en las evaluaciones de la calidad de vida en varios grupos de encuestados es el principio de actividad personal; se identifican los factores internos y externos que contribuyen a la armonía “sujeto-ambiente” y se propone un modelo focalizado para lograr un alto nivel de calidad de vida que involucre una combinación de parámetros de estilo de vida, recursos personales y oportunidades externas; Se describen las estrategias de interacción dentro del sistema “sujeto-ambiente” en una región extrema en diferentes niveles de calidad de vida. Los resultados obtenidos pueden dar inicio a nuevas investigaciones teóricas y empíricas sobre las especificidades de la calidad de vida en diferentes grupos sociales y permitir precisar las metas, objetivos, direcciones y las principales formas de ayudar y asistir a los diferentes segmentos de la población para asegurar una alta calidad de vida dependiendo tanto de la naturaleza de las influencias externas como de la evaluación subjetiva del medio ambiente.

Статья представляет собой продолжение теоретической разработки проблемы субъективного качества жизни. Оценка субъективного качества жизни требует создания методики, определяющей уровень удовлетворенности человека своей жизнью. Подобная методика должна учитывать множество факторов, оказывающих влияние на формирование субъективного качества жизни, и включать оценку индивидом качества удовлетворения его потребностей, процесса саморазвития и самореализации, оценку соответствия основных параметров и условий жизнедеятельности индивида его ценностным ориентациям и представлениям об искомом уровне жизни., The article is the continuation of theoretical development of the problem of subjective quality of life. Evaluation of subjective quality of life requires the creation of a methodology that determines the level of human satisfaction with their lives. Such a method should be developed taking into account the subjective assessment of the subject of his life situation. Such a technique should take into account many factors that infl uence the formation of subjective quality of life, and include an assessment of the individual’s quality of satisfaction of his needs, the process of self-development and self-realization, assessment of compliance of the basic parameters and conditions of the individual’s life with his value orientations and ideas about the desired level of life.

The main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of materialism on adolescents’ subjective quality of life. For the empirical research, 705 questionnaires were applied in public and private schools in the city of João Pessoa (Brazil), resulting 667 valid responses of adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age, mostly women and from private schools. The sampling was by conglomerates and the analysis of the data was quantitative. From the results, it was not possible to confirm the direct influence of the level of materialism on the level of subjective quality of life. The limitations were presented by not having identified a high level of materialism among the adolescents surveyed. The social contribution of this study is the identification of factors that may increase adolescent consumption., O principal objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a influência do materialismo na qualidade de vida subjetiva dos adolescentes. Para a pes­quisa empírica foram aplicados 705 questionários nas escolas públicas e particulares da cidade de João Pessoa (Brasil), resultando em 667 respostas válidas de adolescentes entre 12 y 18 anos de idade, a maioria mulheres e de estudantes de escolas particulares. A amostragem foi por conglomerados e análise dos dados foi quantitativa. A partir dos resultados, não foi possível confirmar a influência direta do nível de materialismo nível de qualidade de vida subjetiva. As limitações foram apresentadas por não ter identificado um alto nível de materialismo entre os adolescentes pesquisados. A contribuição social deste estudo é a identificação de fatores que podem aumentar o consumo dos adolescentes., El principal objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la influencia del materialismo en la calidad de vida subjetiva de los adolescentes. Para la investigación empírica fueron aplicados 705 cuestionarios en escuelas públicas y privadas de la ciudad de João Pessoa (Brasil), resultando 667 respuestas válidas de adolescentes entre 12 y 18 años de edad, la mayoría mujeres y de estudiantes de escuelas privadas. El muestreo fue por conglomerados y el análisis de los datos fue cuantitativo. A partir de los resultados, no se pudo confirmar la influencia directa del nivel de materialismo sobre el nivel de calidad de vida subjetiva. Las limitaciones se presentaron por no haber identificado un alto nivel de materialismo entre los adolescentes encuestados. La contribución social de este estudio es la identificación de factores que pueden aumentar el consumo de los adolescentes.

The main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of materialism on adolescents’ subjective quality of life. For the empirical research, 705 questionnaires were applied in public and private schools in the city of João Pessoa (Brazil), resulting 667 valid responses of adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age, mostly women and from private schools. The sampling was by conglomerates and the analysis of the data was quantitative. From the results, it was not possible to confirm the direct influence of the level of materialism on the level of subjective quality of life. The limitations were presented by not having identified a high level of materialism among the adolescents surveyed. The social contribution of this study is the identification of factors that may increase adolescent consumption., O principal objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a influência do materialismo na qualidade de vida subjetiva dos adolescentes. Para a pes­quisa empírica foram aplicados 705 questionários nas escolas públicas e particulares da cidade de João Pessoa (Brasil), resultando em 667 respostas válidas de adolescentes entre 12 y 18 anos de idade, a maioria mulheres e de estudantes de escolas particulares. A amostragem foi por conglomerados e análise dos dados foi quantitativa. A partir dos resultados, não foi possível confirmar a influência direta do nível de materialismo nível de qualidade de vida subjetiva. As limitações foram apresentadas por não ter identificado um alto nível de materialismo entre os adolescentes pesquisados. A contribuição social deste estudo é a identificação de fatores que podem aumentar o consumo dos adolescentes., El principal objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la influencia del materialismo en la calidad de vida subjetiva de los adolescentes. Para la investigación empírica fueron aplicados 705 cuestionarios en escuelas públicas y privadas de la ciudad de João Pessoa (Brasil), resultando 667 respuestas válidas de adolescentes entre 12 y 18 años de edad, la mayoría mujeres y de estudiantes de escuelas privadas. El muestreo fue por conglomerados y el análisis de los datos fue cuantitativo. A partir de los resultados, no se pudo confirmar la influencia directa del nivel de materialismo sobre el nivel de calidad de vida subjetiva. Las limitaciones se presentaron por no haber identificado un alto nivel de materialismo entre los adolescentes encuestados. La contribución social de este estudio es la identificación de factores que pueden aumentar el consumo de los adolescentes.

Set in central Vietnam, this project aimed to address the relative lack of research on people in developing countries who have recently experienced schizophrenia or a related illness for the first time. It examined the community functioning and quality of life of participants over a six-month period, as well as factors linked with a good or poor recovery. Overall, the group's outcomes were relatively positive, despite the region's limited mental health services. However, participants from low-income households appeared to have a high risk of poor outcomes, indicating the need for interventions targeting such individuals.

Active ageing policies seek to increase the quality of life of older people in three areas: health, security and participation. This paper focuses on a specific type of participation: associations. Its objective is to explore the possible self-selection effects of this type of participation, using global subjective quality of life indicators (satisfaction with life) and domain-specific indicators (satisfaction with leisure, community social integration and emotional resources). For this, a structural equation modelling analysis was conducted, taking into account bi-directional relationships between the variables of interest. The data come from a conditions and quality of life survey conducted in 2008 among a sample of 1,106 individuals aged 60 or over, living in community-dwellings in Spain. The results illustrate a complex model of relationships in which associative participation is not statistically significantly associated with the satisfaction measures used. This highlights the importance of self-selection effects and raises the issue of the effectiveness of associative participation as a tool to enhance the life satisfaction of older adults.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

Introduction. Subjective quality of life in schizophrenia and its relationship with the basic psychotic symptomatology of the disease has gained great importance over the last few years. This is due, firstly, to the desinstitutionalization of these patients, who become integrated in health care facilities, which are increasingly less regimented; and secondly, to the development of new antipsychotic medicines. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to measure the relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia attended to in various health care facilities belonging to a mental health network. Methodology. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia belonging to five health care facilities were assessed. Their subjective quality of life was measured by the Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida (CSCV) (Seville quality of life questionnaire). Basic psychotic symptomatology was assessed by the Frankfurter Beschwerde Fragebogen (FBF-3) (The Frankfurt psychopathological inventory). Results. It can be seen that the improvement of subjective quality of life is related to a decrease of schizophrenic people‘s basic psychotic symptomatology. However, such a relationship is not evident when a diversity of health care facilities is compared. Conclusions. The relationship between subjective quality of life and basic psychotic symptomatology in patients with schizophrenia highlights the need to use not only pharmacological treatment but also other cognitive and psychosocial interventions which attend to the subjective experience of the disease in order to improve the quality of life of these patients, irrespective of the health care facilities.

A disease has consequences not only for the afflicted person but also for those who interact with him or her. A low-grade glioma is a brain tumour whose regarding its psychosocial implications for adult patients and their next of kin has received little attention in the literature. In the light of this the overall aim of the present thesis was to provide increased knowledge about how patients with low-grade glioma and their next of kin experience and deal with everyday life. The methods of the studies were mainly qualitative. Thirty-nine patients and 28 next of kin were interviewed and all except one next of kin completed a quality of life questionnaire. The onset of low-grade glioma was described from the patients’ perspective as a process, either rapid (up to a few months) or prolonged over several years. This phase of low-grade glioma encompassed repeated visits to physicians and care institutions. The onset of low-grade glioma was accompanied by stress, anxiety and uncertainty in the case of both the patients and those nearest. The symptoms and problems the patients experienced covered a broad range of consequences, physical, psychological and social. The patients presented a wide range of ways to cope with illness-related problems. The next of kin were often deeply involved in the patients’ situation and many of them experienced extremely stressful emotions mainly in the early period of the illness. They had experience of positive encounters in health care but more often they had had a sense both of powerlessness and of being invisible and neglected. Relations and roles changed in ways that mostly were experienced as negative. Enabling strength in everyday life had to do with alleviation of strain and having a positive outlook upon life. By means of the questionnaire Subjective estimation of Quality of Life (SQoL) the patients and those nearest estimated their quality of life as being comparatively high. Only one variable, among the patients the absence of work

A disease has consequences not only for the afflicted person but also for those who interact with him or her. A low-grade glioma is a brain tumour whose regarding its psychosocial implications for adult patients and their next of kin has received little attention in the literature. In the light of this the overall aim of the present thesis was to provide increased knowledge about how patients with low-grade glioma and their next of kin experience and deal with everyday life. The methods of the studies were mainly qualitative. Thirty-nine patients and 28 next of kin were interviewed and all except one next of kin completed a quality of life questionnaire. The onset of low-grade glioma was described from the patients’ perspective as a process, either rapid (up to a few months) or prolonged over several years. This phase of low-grade glioma encompassed repeated visits to physicians and care institutions. The onset of low-grade glioma was accompanied by stress, anxiety and uncertainty in the case of both the patients and those nearest. The symptoms and problems the patients experienced covered a broad range of consequences, physical, psychological and social. The patients presented a wide range of ways to cope with illness-related problems. The next of kin were often deeply involved in the patients’ situation and many of them experienced extremely stressful emotions mainly in the early period of the illness. They had experience of positive encounters in health care but more often they had had a sense both of powerlessness and of being invisible and neglected. Relations and roles changed in ways that mostly were experienced as negative. Enabling strength in everyday life had to do with alleviation of strain and having a positive outlook upon life. By means of the questionnaire Subjective estimation of Quality of Life (SQoL) the patients and those nearest estimated their quality of life as being comparatively high. Only one variable, among the patients the absence of work

A disease has consequences not only for the afflicted person but also for those who interact with him or her. A low-grade glioma is a brain tumour whose regarding its psychosocial implications for adult patients and their next of kin has received little attention in the literature. In the light of this the overall aim of the present thesis was to provide increased knowledge about how patients with low-grade glioma and their next of kin experience and deal with everyday life. The methods of the studies were mainly qualitative. Thirty-nine patients and 28 next of kin were interviewed and all except one next of kin completed a quality of life questionnaire. The onset of low-grade glioma was described from the patients’ perspective as a process, either rapid (up to a few months) or prolonged over several years. This phase of low-grade glioma encompassed repeated visits to physicians and care institutions. The onset of low-grade glioma was accompanied by stress, anxiety and uncertainty in the case of both the patients and those nearest. The symptoms and problems the patients experienced covered a broad range of consequences, physical, psychological and social. The patients presented a wide range of ways to cope with illness-related problems. The next of kin were often deeply involved in the patients’ situation and many of them experienced extremely stressful emotions mainly in the early period of the illness. They had experience of positive encounters in health care but more often they had had a sense both of powerlessness and of being invisible and neglected. Relations and roles changed in ways that mostly were experienced as negative. Enabling strength in everyday life had to do with alleviation of strain and having a positive outlook upon life. By means of the questionnaire Subjective estimation of Quality of Life (SQoL) the patients and those nearest estimated their quality of life as being comparatively high. Only one variable, among the patients the absence of work

A disease has consequences not only for the afflicted person but also for those who interact with him or her. A low-grade glioma is a brain tumour whose regarding its psychosocial implications for adult patients and their next of kin has received little attention in the literature. In the light of this the overall aim of the present thesis was to provide increased knowledge about how patients with low-grade glioma and their next of kin experience and deal with everyday life. The methods of the studies were mainly qualitative. Thirty-nine patients and 28 next of kin were interviewed and all except one next of kin completed a quality of life questionnaire. The onset of low-grade glioma was described from the patients’ perspective as a process, either rapid (up to a few months) or prolonged over several years. This phase of low-grade glioma encompassed repeated visits to physicians and care institutions. The onset of low-grade glioma was accompanied by stress, anxiety and uncertainty in the case of both the patients and those nearest. The symptoms and problems the patients experienced covered a broad range of consequences, physical, psychological and social. The patients presented a wide range of ways to cope with illness-related problems. The next of kin were often deeply involved in the patients’ situation and many of them experienced extremely stressful emotions mainly in the early period of the illness. They had experience of positive encounters in health care but more often they had had a sense both of powerlessness and of being invisible and neglected. Relations and roles changed in ways that mostly were experienced as negative. Enabling strength in everyday life had to do with alleviation of strain and having a positive outlook upon life. By means of the questionnaire Subjective estimation of Quality of Life (SQoL) the patients and those nearest estimated their quality of life as being comparatively high. Only one variable, among the patients the absence of work

The overall aim of this thesis was to increase our understanding and knowledge of patients’ experiences of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). A mixed-method design was used, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Thirty-one immunologically treated MS patients were randomly selected and matched with patients without immunological treatment. Matching criteria were gender, impairment, time since diagnosis and age. One patient dropped out and therefore the final sample consisted of 61 patients. All 61 were interviewed (Studies I, III and IV) and completed the 36-item Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36), the Subjective estimation of Quality of Life questionnaire (SQoL), the Self-reported Impairment Check-list (SIC) (Study II) and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale questionnaire (MADRS) (Study III). The interviews were subjected to content analysis. Initial symptoms and being diagnosed with MS were described in terms of becoming vulnerable and remaining in that vulnerability long after the diagnosis. Eventually the patients were able to manage this emotional distress and acquired strength in their illness situation (Study I). In the matched analysis, 29 pairs of patients were included after internal drop-out. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups. Concerning the total group of 61 patients, the self-reported impairment check-list showed that they had various problems of impairment, most evident in balance and walking. The score on health-related quality of life (SF-36) was reduced, disclosing a negative influence on vitality, physical role and function. However, subjective quality of life (SQoL) was not reduced, showing that the patients estimated their well-being to be quite unaffected (Study II). Thirty-eight of the 61 patients (62%) experienced chronic sorrow (Study III). The group were not depressed in general, only four having mild symptoms of depression, revealing that chroni

The overall aim of this thesis was to increase our understanding and knowledge of patients’ experiences of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). A mixed-method design was used, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Thirty-one immunologically treated MS patients were randomly selected and matched with patients without immunological treatment. Matching criteria were gender, impairment, time since diagnosis and age. One patient dropped out and therefore the final sample consisted of 61 patients. All 61 were interviewed (Studies I, III and IV) and completed the 36-item Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36), the Subjective estimation of Quality of Life questionnaire (SQoL), the Self-reported Impairment Check-list (SIC) (Study II) and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale questionnaire (MADRS) (Study III). The interviews were subjected to content analysis. Initial symptoms and being diagnosed with MS were described in terms of becoming vulnerable and remaining in that vulnerability long after the diagnosis. Eventually the patients were able to manage this emotional distress and acquired strength in their illness situation (Study I). In the matched analysis, 29 pairs of patients were included after internal drop-out. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups. Concerning the total group of 61 patients, the self-reported impairment check-list showed that they had various problems of impairment, most evident in balance and walking. The score on health-related quality of life (SF-36) was reduced, disclosing a negative influence on vitality, physical role and function. However, subjective quality of life (SQoL) was not reduced, showing that the patients estimated their well-being to be quite unaffected (Study II). Thirty-eight of the 61 patients (62%) experienced chronic sorrow (Study III). The group were not depressed in general, only four having mild symptoms of depression, revealing that chroni

The overall aim of this thesis was to increase our understanding and knowledge of patients’ experiences of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). A mixed-method design was used, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Thirty-one immunologically treated MS patients were randomly selected and matched with patients without immunological treatment. Matching criteria were gender, impairment, time since diagnosis and age. One patient dropped out and therefore the final sample consisted of 61 patients. All 61 were interviewed (Studies I, III and IV) and completed the 36-item Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36), the Subjective estimation of Quality of Life questionnaire (SQoL), the Self-reported Impairment Check-list (SIC) (Study II) and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale questionnaire (MADRS) (Study III). The interviews were subjected to content analysis. Initial symptoms and being diagnosed with MS were described in terms of becoming vulnerable and remaining in that vulnerability long after the diagnosis. Eventually the patients were able to manage this emotional distress and acquired strength in their illness situation (Study I). In the matched analysis, 29 pairs of patients were included after internal drop-out. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups. Concerning the total group of 61 patients, the self-reported impairment check-list showed that they had various problems of impairment, most evident in balance and walking. The score on health-related quality of life (SF-36) was reduced, disclosing a negative influence on vitality, physical role and function. However, subjective quality of life (SQoL) was not reduced, showing that the patients estimated their well-being to be quite unaffected (Study II). Thirty-eight of the 61 patients (62%) experienced chronic sorrow (Study III). The group were not depressed in general, only four having mild symptoms of depression, revealing that chroni

The overall aim of this thesis was to increase our understanding and knowledge of patients’ experiences of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). A mixed-method design was used, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Thirty-one immunologically treated MS patients were randomly selected and matched with patients without immunological treatment. Matching criteria were gender, impairment, time since diagnosis and age. One patient dropped out and therefore the final sample consisted of 61 patients. All 61 were interviewed (Studies I, III and IV) and completed the 36-item Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36), the Subjective estimation of Quality of Life questionnaire (SQoL), the Self-reported Impairment Check-list (SIC) (Study II) and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale questionnaire (MADRS) (Study III). The interviews were subjected to content analysis. Initial symptoms and being diagnosed with MS were described in terms of becoming vulnerable and remaining in that vulnerability long after the diagnosis. Eventually the patients were able to manage this emotional distress and acquired strength in their illness situation (Study I). In the matched analysis, 29 pairs of patients were included after internal drop-out. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups. Concerning the total group of 61 patients, the self-reported impairment check-list showed that they had various problems of impairment, most evident in balance and walking. The score on health-related quality of life (SF-36) was reduced, disclosing a negative influence on vitality, physical role and function. However, subjective quality of life (SQoL) was not reduced, showing that the patients estimated their well-being to be quite unaffected (Study II). Thirty-eight of the 61 patients (62%) experienced chronic sorrow (Study III). The group were not depressed in general, only four having mild symptoms of depression, revealing that chroni

Objective To investigate the cross-sectional relationship between subjective quality of life and sociodemographic clinical and social factors over three points of assessment during a 6-year follow-up, and to investigate longitudinal predictors of subjective quality of life. Method We investigated a sample of people with severe mental illness (n = 92), mainly with a psychosis diagnosis, at baseline and at an 18-month and 6-year follow-up. Measures included the Lancashire quality of life profile, Manchester short assessment of quality of life, Symptom Check List 90, Camberwell Assessment of Needs and the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. Results Cross-sectionally subjective quality of life was associated to self-reported symptoms, social network and unmet needs. However, these determinants varied in importance between points of assessment. Longitudinal predictors of subjective quality of life were changes in self-reported symptoms and social network. Conclusion There was a rather consistent set of determinants of subjective quality of life over time. Social network seems to be an important factor with relevance for improvements in subjective quality of life, however largely overlooked in earlier studies within the field.

The overall aim of this thesis was to increase our understanding and knowledge of patients’ experiences of living with multiple sclerosis (MS). A mixed-method design was used, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. Thirty-one immunologically treated MS patients were randomly selected and matched with patients without immunological treatment. Matching criteria were gender, impairment, time since diagnosis and age. One patient dropped out and therefore the final sample consisted of 61 patients. All 61 were interviewed (Studies I, III and IV) and completed the 36-item Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36), the Subjective estimation of Quality of Life questionnaire (SQoL), the Self-reported Impairment Check-list (SIC) (Study II) and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale questionnaire (MADRS) (Study III). The interviews were subjected to content analysis. Initial symptoms and being diagnosed with MS were described in terms of becoming vulnerable and remaining in that vulnerability long after the diagnosis. Eventually the patients were able to manage this emotional distress and acquired strength in their illness situation (Study I). In the matched analysis, 29 pairs of patients were included after internal drop-out. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups. Concerning the total group of 61 patients, the self-reported impairment check-list showed that they had various problems of impairment, most evident in balance and walking. The score on health-related quality of life (SF-36) was reduced, disclosing a negative influence on vitality, physical role and function. However, subjective quality of life (SQoL) was not reduced, showing that the patients estimated their well-being to be quite unaffected (Study II). Thirty-eight of the 61 patients (62%) experienced chronic sorrow (Study III). The group were not depressed in general, only four having mild symptoms of depression, revealing that chroni

The idea of Quality of Life includes two areas: objective aspects such as socioeconomic status, and subjective self- perception. Psychoeducation provides useful means to find alternative ways to evaluate and cope with life conditions, thus improving quality of life. Evidence to support if there is a relationship between quality of life self- perception and external life conditions was examined in three cities of Argentina. Objective: to assess the socioeconomic status and to analyze individual differences in self-perception among residents of the cities of Buenos Aires, Balcarce and Lincoln. Participants: a total of 398 adults (200 men and 198 women). Method: a) assessment of socioeconomic conditions according to international standards b) assessment of quality of life self-perception applying the Quality of Life Index (QLI-Sp). Results: external life conditions do not predict individual self- perception of quality of life., El concepto Calidad de Vida tiene un componente objetivo, determinado por las condiciones socioeconómicas, y un componente subjetivo que es la autopercepción del bienestar individual. La psicoeducación ofrece recursos para mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas modificando la percepción y el afrontamiento de las condiciones externas. Se investigó si la calidad de vida subjetiva se relaciona con los niveles de calidad de vida objetiva en tres ciudades de la República Argentina. Objetivos: determinar el nivel de calidad de vida objetiva y examinar diferencias individuales de autopercepción de calidad de vida en Capital Federal y las ciudades de Balcarce y Lincoln. Muestra: probabilística, 398 adultos (200 hombres y 198 mujeres). Métodos: a) relevamiento de indicadores sociodemográficos b) administración del test Indice de Calidad de Vida (QLI-Sp). Resultados: los parámetros de calidad de vida objetiva no son determinantes en la autopercepción de bienestar individual.

Interaction in the dyad : Life satisfaction for spouses on Norwegian farms In this article we analyse spouses’ subjective quality of life for farm couples. A conceptual model is presented, postulating individual well-being as resulting from own and spouse’s background, common conditions on the farm, as well as partner’s well-being. We argue for reciprocal mechanisms of life satisfaction within the dyad at the holding, and specify alternative hypotheses of possible predominant influences between wife and husband. Empirical implications of the model are tested against data from a sample of Norwegian farm couples, consisting of active male farm holders and their wives. Results document the relevance of individual as well as common factors for her and his well-being. Findings from Lisrel analysis furthermore suggest that the male farmer for his life satisfaction is more dependent on the wife, than the other way around. All in all, findings point to the isolated character of the male role in modern farming, and emphasise the importance of the female role under such conditions., Sociologisk Forsknings digitala arkiv

Interaction in the dyad : Life satisfaction for spouses on Norwegian farms In this article we analyse spouses’ subjective quality of life for farm couples. A conceptual model is presented, postulating individual well-being as resulting from own and spouse’s background, common conditions on the farm, as well as partner’s well-being. We argue for reciprocal mechanisms of life satisfaction within the dyad at the holding, and specify alternative hypotheses of possible predominant influences between wife and husband. Empirical implications of the model are tested against data from a sample of Norwegian farm couples, consisting of active male farm holders and their wives. Results document the relevance of individual as well as common factors for her and his well-being. Findings from Lisrel analysis furthermore suggest that the male farmer for his life satisfaction is more dependent on the wife, than the other way around. All in all, findings point to the isolated character of the male role in modern farming, and emphasise the importance of the female role under such conditions., Sociologisk Forsknings digitala arkiv

Interaction in the dyad : Life satisfaction for spouses on Norwegian farms In this article we analyse spouses’ subjective quality of life for farm couples. A conceptual model is presented, postulating individual well-being as resulting from own and spouse’s background, common conditions on the farm, as well as partner’s well-being. We argue for reciprocal mechanisms of life satisfaction within the dyad at the holding, and specify alternative hypotheses of possible predominant influences between wife and husband. Empirical implications of the model are tested against data from a sample of Norwegian farm couples, consisting of active male farm holders and their wives. Results document the relevance of individual as well as common factors for her and his well-being. Findings from Lisrel analysis furthermore suggest that the male farmer for his life satisfaction is more dependent on the wife, than the other way around. All in all, findings point to the isolated character of the male role in modern farming, and emphasise the importance of the female role under such conditions., Sociologisk Forsknings digitala arkiv

Interaction in the dyad : Life satisfaction for spouses on Norwegian farms In this article we analyse spouses’ subjective quality of life for farm couples. A conceptual model is presented, postulating individual well-being as resulting from own and spouse’s background, common conditions on the farm, as well as partner’s well-being. We argue for reciprocal mechanisms of life satisfaction within the dyad at the holding, and specify alternative hypotheses of possible predominant influences between wife and husband. Empirical implications of the model are tested against data from a sample of Norwegian farm couples, consisting of active male farm holders and their wives. Results document the relevance of individual as well as common factors for her and his well-being. Findings from Lisrel analysis furthermore suggest that the male farmer for his life satisfaction is more dependent on the wife, than the other way around. All in all, findings point to the isolated character of the male role in modern farming, and emphasise the importance of the female role under such conditions., Sociologisk Forsknings digitala arkiv