Quality of Life: Priorities for People with Enduring Mental Health Problems

Abstract

Eleven people with enduring mental health problems were interviewed about their quality of life. The analysis of the data collected indicated that the key areas that were problems affecting their quality of life were lack of personal achievement, lack of job, difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships, loneliness, health problems (both mental and physical), lack of leisure activities, personal safety and looking after self. The literature review also clearly indicated that finance and access to benefits were priorities for people with enduring mental health problems. The data collected will be used in the development of the Mayers' Lifestyle Questionnaire (2), a tool for use in identifying priority quality of life issues for people with enduring mental health problems. The interviewees said that they would be highly motivated to complete such a questionnaire.