Quality of life in schizophrenia: Contributions of anxiety and depression

A number of studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between quality of life in schizophrenia and general psychopathology measures, and moreover, that the positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms are less related to quality of life. The current investigation examined the relationship between quality of life and symptomatology in 63 stabilized outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Consistent with other findings, more severe depression, as rated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was associated with lower general life satisfaction and lower satisfaction with daily living, finances, health, and social life. In addition, higher anxiety ratings on the BPRS were associated with less satisfaction with global quality of life, daily activities, family, health and social relationship, even when controlling for positive symptoms, negative symptoms, or depression. No other symptoms of schizophrenia were as strongly associated with subjective quality of life. Anxiety was also significantly correlated with a number of positive and negative symptoms while depression was substantially less related. These findings, suggest that more precise analyses of general psychopathology, and anxiety in particular, may be necessary to further clarify the factors involved in quality of life in schizophrenia. In addition, these findings suggest future directions for theories of affect and treatment in schizophrenia.