Positive Mental Health In Individuals With Mental Disorders

Abstract

Introduction

Given the emphasis on inclusion of well-being interventions in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with mental disorders, it is important to understand the level and determinants of positive mental health (PMH) among them.

Objective

To conduct a cross-sectional study among patients with schizophrenia, depression and anxiety spectrum disorders to estimate PMH.

Aims

(i) To estimate the level of PMH among patients with mental disorders and compare these with the established general population estimates; (ii) to identify socio-demographic and clinical determinants of PMH.

Methods

Following ethics approval, 353 patients aged 21-65 years, receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital in Singapore for schizophrenia, depression or anxiety spectrum disorders were included. Patients provided socio-demographic information and completed the multidimensional PMH instrument that provides total and domain-specific scores ranging from 1 to 6; higher scores indicate better PMH. Functioning was assessed with the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and clinical data were obtained from administrative databases.

Results

Sample comprised 142, 139 and 72 patients with schizophrenia, depression and anxiety spectrum disorders respectively, with a mean age of 39.2 years. Mean total PMH scores among them were 4.2, 3.7 and 3.8 respectively which were significantly lower than the general population mean of 4.5 (P < 0.001). Patients of Chinese ethnicity, with lower education, depression or anxiety, and lower GAF scores were more likely to have lower PMH.

Conclusions

This study identified patient subgroups that are likely to have poorer PMH. Interventions facilitating PMH among these patient groups would be beneficial and are needed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.