The importance of social comparisons for high levels of subjective quality of life in chronic schizophrenic patients |
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Authors: | Michael Franz Thorsten Meyer Tilman Reber Bernd Gallhofer |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Psychiatry, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany |
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Abstract: | In schizophrenic patients, quality of life (QoL) studies often find high levels of general life satisfaction and satisfaction
in various life domains despite deprived living conditions. Therefore, the usefulness of QoL as an outcome indicator has been
questioned. Since social comparison processes have been postulated to be related to the level of satisfaction, this hypothesis
was analysed empirically by the present study in schizophrenic patients. Satisfaction and social comparisons of 148 schizophrenic
inpatients and 66 mentally healthy controls were examined with regard to the domains ‘health’ and ‘family’ by means of a standardised
interview. The schizophrenic patients had a history of either long-term (n = 75) or short-term (n = 73) restricted and deprived
living conditions. Long-term patients showed significantly higher satisfaction levels than short-term patients. They compared
themselves predominantly laterally or downwards with fellow inpatients. Significant relationships between the direction of
social comparisons and satisfaction ratings were found in all three samples. Social comparisons proved to be important for
the level of satisfaction in schizophrenic patients. Results indicate that experiences of restricted and deprived living conditions
induce accommodation processes and response-shifts that should be taken into account in the interpretation of quality-of-life
data.
This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | Accommodation processes Quality of life Satisfaction Schizophrenia Social comparison |
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