Age, Gender and Quality of Life

This paper addresses the effect of age andgender on the subjective quality of life of people withsevere and persistent mental illness. Subjective qualityof life was assessed in a group of 95 men and 70 women using the Satisfaction with LifeDomains Scale (SLDS) and five open-ended questions.Although statistical analyses showed no differencebetween men and women on quality of life, age wassystematically related to satisfaction level with olderparticipants being more satisfied with their lives thantheir younger counterparts. Responses to the open-endedquestions revealed that fewer of the older, more satisfied respondents expressed worries, desirefor change and plans for the future. These results arediscussed with respect to the links between subjectivequality of life, aspirations and the rehabilitation process.