Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2004

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational and School Psychology

First Advisor

Michele C. Boyer

Second Advisor

Christy L. Coleman

Third Advisor

Peggy L. Hines

Abstract

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are often persistent and disabling conditions that require a wide range ofbiopsychosocial treatments. In recent decades, treatment has largely focused on assisting persons to maintain community tenure, while little attention has been devoted to quality of life. For many, these illnesses have a negative impact on life satisfaction due to their chronic and variable nature, lack of completely efficacious treatments, and social stigma. Some have speculated that various demographic, symptom, or treatment variables influence quality of life, but the nature and amount of influence is uncertain. 111 The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of demographic factors, symptomatology, and coping styles on the quality of life of persons with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. A series of Pearson R correlations, multiple regression analyses, and a qualitative analysis were conducted using data obtained from 98 adult outpatients at a rural Midwestern community mental health center. Participants completed the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (Endler & Parker, 1990a), Symptom Checklist-90-R, (Derogatis, 1994), Quality of Life Inventory (Frisch, 1994), a demographic questionnaire, and a general life satisfaction question. Results revealed that five factors were significantly correlated with quality of life including: presence of at least one psychological comorbid illness, symptomatology, taskoriented coping, emotion-oriented coping, and avoidance oriented coping. Gender, duration of illness, and presence of at least one medical comorbid illness were not related IV to quality oflife. Results also revealed that symptomatology and task-oriented coping were significant predictors of quality of life. When symptomatology was not included in the analysis, task-oriented and emotion-oriented coping were significant predictors. Specific factors contributing to and hindering life satisfaction are summarized. Implications of this study and recommendations for future quality of life research are also discussed.

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