Quality of life of mental health consumers in Hong Kong: Analysis of service perceptions.

OBJECTIVES

Successful psychiatric rehabilitation entails fostering overall quality of life of individuals recovering from severe mental illnesses. Understanding how service-related perceptions may be related to quality of life can be useful in improving the effectiveness of community-based care. This study investigated the quality of life of mental health consumers using a service-oriented paradigm.

METHODS

162 mental health consumers from community-based psychiatric rehabilitation centers were interviewed. Analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships between service perceptions (perceived treatment coercion, rehabilitation needs, and continuity of care) and quality of life.

RESULTS

Physical health quality was negatively related to rehabilitation needs. Mental health quality was negatively related to both rehabilitation needs and poorer continuity of service. Life satisfaction was negatively related to poorer continuity of service and higher perceived treatment coercion.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted the significance of service perceptions in the well-being of individuals with severe mental illness.