[Quality of life in the course of deinstitutionalisation-- part IV of the Berlin Deinstitutionalisation Study]

Abstract

As part of the Berlin Deinstitutionalisation Study, quality of life was assessed in 142 patients at two points of time. Discharged patients were reassessed one year after discharge. Patients who stayed in hospital were reinterviewed 1 1/2-2 years after the initial assessment. Discharged patients had more leisure activities, more often a "good friend", and more frequent social contacts. They were less often victim of a crime within the last year. In a cross-sectional comparison, they were significantly more satisfied with their life than patients who were still in hospital. In the latter group, only satisfaction with mental health improved significantly between first and second interview. Discharged patients became significantly more satisfied with their life in general, with leisure activities, with accommodation, and with mental health between initial assessment and follow-up. The findings demonstrate an improvement of quality of life in long-term hospitalised patients after discharge.