Journal of Associated Medical Sciences (May 2016)
Effect of rehabilitation educational program on quality of life of persons with severe mental disorder
Abstract
Introduction: The aims of rehabilitation for persons with severe mental disorder are to improve their social and occupational functioning, thus increasing their quality of life. Poor understanding about illness and how to encourage and support patient to perform a valued occupation, is a major barrier to the quality of life of these persons. Caregiver education in rehabilitation is an intervention program that might be helpful for improving the quality of life of persons with severe mental disorder. Objective: To investigate the effect of the rehabilitation education program given to their caregivers on the quality of life of persons with severe mental disorder. Materials and methods: Quasi-experimental research design was conducted on persons with severe mental disorder. They were between 20–60 years of age and discharged from hospital. All subjects lived in the community not longer than one and a half year. Thirty subjects were recruited but only twenty-seven persons were completed the program. Of 27 subjects, they were divided into a 13-person experimental group and a 14-person control group. Only experimental group was given the education program for their caregivers. Both groups were interviewed according to the World Health Organization of Quality of Life Index (WHOQOL) – BREF (Thai version) before and 2 months after intervention. Results: Before imprementation of the program, both experimental and control group got equal scores of quality of life in physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships and environment domain as well as the overall quality of life and general health. After 2 months, the experimental group got higher scores of quality of life in all areas. Their scores were different from those in pre-intervention in all areas and also different from control group in all areas. In contrast, after intervention, the control group had lower quality of life scores in physical health, environment as well as the overall quality of life and general health. Their scores were also less than those at pre-intervention. Conclusion: Educational program of rehabilitation for the caregivers is an intervention to enhance quality of life of the people with severe mental disorder. Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2016; 49(2): 197-206. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2016.25
