Measures of quality of life among persons with severe and persistent mental disorders

In order to provide clinicians, researchers, programs evaluators, and administrators with current information on the assessment of humanistic outcomes of services for persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI), the literature on measuring quality of life (QOL) for these persons is summarized. The literature on QOL assessment procedures up to the end of October 1992 for persons with SPMI is reviewed, covering QOL measures that at a minimum assess subjective well-being. Measures are summarized according to purpose, content, psychometric properties, patient sub-groups with whom used, and key references. Ten QOL measures are summarized and reflect considerable variability on the parameters examined. Comprehensive, reliable, and valid measures of QOL are available although further development of QOL assessment methodologies is needed. More importantly, we must strive for a better understanding of how to interpret and use QOL outcome information.