Correlates of subjective quality of life in people with schizophrenia: findings from the EuroSC study

Abstract

Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome for people with schizophrenia, but most previous studies of its correlates have had small sample sizes or explored a limited number of variables. We conducted an analysis of the baseline data from the European Schizophrenia Cohort (EuroSC) study, a naturalistic investigation of people with schizophrenia living in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (N = 1208). German participants had the highest subjective QOL. Country of residence, depression, accommodation status, and employment were the most important factors in explaining subjective QOL. Many correlates of subjective QOL in people with schizophrenia were similar to those in the general population. Many of the factors important in explaining subjective QOL in people with schizophrenia are not readily amenable to change. Differences in mental health service provision in the United Kingdom and Germany may in part explain variations in the QOL of people with schizophrenia resident there.