Relative impact of Axis I mental disorders on quality of life among adults in the community

J Affect Disord. 2011 Jun;131(1-3):293-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.01.010.

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the relative impact of different mental disorders on adult quality of life (QOL). This study estimated associations between several mental disorders and QOL in a representative American community sample.

Methods: The QOL instrument was administered to 640 adult participants in the Children in the Community Study, a population-based longitudinal study. DSM-Axis I and Axis II mental disorder diagnoses were assessed by psychiatric interview.

Results: Poorer QOL was strongly associated with having a mood disorder, especially major depression disorder (MDD) (effect size, ES = -0.57, p < 0.01), whereas poorer quality social relationships were associated with having dysthymia and bipolar disorders (ES = -0.92, p < 0.01; ES = -0.80, p < 0.05, respectively). Most anxiety disorders were not independently related to QOL with the exception of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was significantly related to poorer physical health (ES = -0.78, p < 0.01) and psychological well-being (ES = -0.73, p < 0.01) and to less overall QOL (ES = -0.57, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: MDD and PTSD are independently related to impaired QOL and dysthymia and bipolar disorder negatively influence social relationships.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Mood Disorders / psychology
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology