Evaluation : impact of day care and outpatient settings on quality of life of people with severe mental disorders

Abstract EN

Objective: The current study evaluated whether a psychosocial day center program in Abu Dhabi improved the quality of life for people with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, or major depression.

Method: Patients (n=58) from an outpatient clinic and patients (n=59) attending a day center located in the Abu Dhabi Psychiatry Hospital were recruited to the study.

All were diagnosed using Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – Fourth Edition (SCID-IV).

To assess subjective wellbeing, the PCASEE Model was used.

It addresses six dimensions: P, physical indicators; C, cognitive indicators; A, affective indicators; S, social indicators; E, economic-social stressors; and E, ego functions, which were applied to the Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire.

Results: Findings suggest significant improvement for people attending day center clinics in relation to (a) major depression where improvement related to difficulties associated with affect, cognition, ego, physical health and social dysfunction; (b) bipolar I with improvement in ego problems, social dysfunction and quality of life; and (c) schizophrenia where improvement related to cognitive problems and social dysfunction.

Conclusion: Support from the day center program contributed to improved quality of life for people with chronic mental disorders.