[Subjective view of positive symptoms and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was the investigation of positive symptoms and quality of life from the subjective perspective of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: We assessed self- and expert-rated positive symptoms (semi-structured interview), standardized psychopathology (PANSS), subjective well-being (SWN) and QOL (MSLQ) in n=59 patients.

Results: Patients reported that ideas of grandiosity and hallucinations of dialogue voices were less distressing compared with command voices, malevolent voices and delusional ideas of persecution. Patients with high levels of distress reported significant lower subjective well-being (SWN: t=2.27; p<0.05) and QOL (MSLQ: t=2.01; p<0.05), but showed no differences in symptom severity (PANSS: t=-0,98; p=n. s.) compared with patients with low subjective distress.

Conclusions: Distress caused by positive symptoms reflected the individual meaning of the symptoms and was associated with lower quality of life.