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Effects of illness attribution and depression on the quality of life among persons with serious mental illness

Author

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  • Mechanic, David
  • McAlpine, Donna
  • Rosenfield, Sarah
  • Davis, Diane

Abstract

Attributing one's problems to a mental illness is associated with reduced subjective quality of life (QOL) among persons with schizophrenia, controlling for a broad range of socio-demographic, social, clinical, and psychosocial variables. Persons who attributed their problems to a 'physical, medical, or biological' problem in contrast to a 'mental illness' reported more positive social relations and higher overall quality of life. Much of the negative effect of mental illness attributions is explained by perceived stigma, lower self-esteem, and a higher level of depressive symptomatology. Depressive symptoms have an independent negative effect on QOL net of all other variables. These findings have important implications for the appropriate rehabilitation of persons with mental illness and require further scrutiny with prospective data.

Suggested Citation

  • Mechanic, David & McAlpine, Donna & Rosenfield, Sarah & Davis, Diane, 1994. "Effects of illness attribution and depression on the quality of life among persons with serious mental illness," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 155-164, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:39:y:1994:i:2:p:155-164
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mueller, Brigitte & Nordt, Carlos & Lauber, Christoph & Rueesch, Peter & Meyer, Peter C. & Roessler, Wulf, 2006. "Social support modifies perceived stigmatization in the first years of mental illness: A longitudinal approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 39-49, January.
    2. Pescosolido, Bernice A. & Martin, Jack K. & Lang, Annie & Olafsdottir, Sigrun, 2008. "Rethinking theoretical approaches to stigma: A Framework Integrating Normative Influences on Stigma (FINIS)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 431-440, August.
    3. Kinderman, Peter & Setzu, Erika & Lobban, Fiona & Salmon, Peter, 2006. "Illness beliefs in schizophrenia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(7), pages 1900-1911, October.
    4. Temilola J Mosanya & Adegoke O Adelufosi & Olaolu T Adebowale & Adegboyega Ogunwale & Olaide K Adebayo, 2014. "Self-stigma, quality of life and schizophrenia: An outpatient clinic survey in Nigeria," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(4), pages 377-386, June.
    5. Meiser, Bettina & Mitchell, Philip B. & McGirr, H. & Van Herten, M. & Schofield, Peter R., 2005. "Implications of genetic risk information in families with a high density of bipolar disorder: an exploratory study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 109-118, January.
    6. Constantin Tranulis & Ellen Corin & Laurence J. Kirmayer, 2008. "Insight and Psychosis: Comparing the Perspectives of Patient, Entourage and Clinician," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(3), pages 225-241, May.
    7. Aditya Simha & Sana Ahmed & Ramakrishna Prasad & Akshay S. Dinesh & Arun Kandasamy & Naren P Rao, 2022. "Effect of national cultural dimensions and consumption rates on stigma toward alcohol and substance use disorders," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(7), pages 1411-1417, November.

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