The relationship between psychopathology, occupational balance, and quality of life among people with schizophrenia

• Published in: Australian occupational therapy journal Vol. 70; no. 3; pp. 314 - 326
• Main Authors: Ercan Doğu, Selma, Örsel, Sibel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Clinical assessment; clinical symptoms; Community mental health services; Correlation analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; depression; Health facilities; Humans; Imbalance; Measures; Medical diagnosis; Mental depression; Mental health; Occupational balance; Occupational Therapy; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychopathology; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Regression analysis; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Social relations; Sociodemographics; Symptoms; Variables; occupational balance; depression; schizophrenia; quality of life; clinical symptoms
• ISSN: 0045-0766; 1440-1630
• DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12855

Objective There is an increased risk of occupational imbalance and poor quality of life (QoL) if one has schizophrenia. Although evidence suggests a relationship between psychopathology and QoL, the association of occupational balance (OB) with QoL in schizophrenia is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations among psychopathology, occupational balance, and QoL in schizophrenia. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study carried out in a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). Ninety‐five individuals aged 18 years or older with the diagnosis of schizophrenia participated in the study. All participants completed a sociodemographic form, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale in Schizophrenia (CDSS), Occupational Balance Questionnaire‐11 Turkish Version (OBQ11‐T), and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL‐100‐TR). Relationships among clinical and depressive symptoms, OB, and QoL variables were examined through correlation analysis, and then multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the variables that have influences on QOL. Results The study participants had low OB scores and the lowest mean in the WHOQOL‐social relationships subscale. WHOQOL‐overall QoL score demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with the PANSS‐total score and PANSS‐general psychopathology subscale score (r = −0.422, r = −0.463, P < 0.001) and a mild negative correlation with the CDSS‐total score (r = −0.390, P < 0.001). OBQ11‐T total score showed a moderate positive correlation with the WHOQOL‐overall score (r = 0.549; P < 0.001). Findings from the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that OBQ11‐T (β = −0.467, P = 0.000) and PANSS‐general psychopathology (β = −0.221, P = 0.045) were significant predictors of the overall QoL, explaining 48% of the variance in the overall QoL (adjusted R2 = .43, P < 0.001). Conclusion Our study findings showed that OB and general psychopathology are determinants that should be considered in improving the QoL in individuals with schizophrenia. Thereby, addressing the symptoms of general psychopathology and occupational factors to improve the QoL may be achieved with the incorporation of occupation‐based programmes to routine treatment. However, further research is required.