Executive Functions and Quality of Life in Patients with Severe Mental Illness

Abstract

In the Netherlands 216.000 patients with SMI receive mental health care. In other to improve treatment and optimize the quality of life of patients with SMI, it is essential to understand the factors that influence quality of life. This cross-sectional study aims to explore a model for executive functions influencing quality of life in patients with SMI. This study had a cross-sectional design with a cohort of patients with SMI (N = 54) who are admitted to long-term psychiatry units. The test battery for executive functions contained multiple subtests measuring different aspects of the overall executive functions. Subjective and objective QoL, premorbid IQ and psychopathology were measured using questionnaires. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the complete model. The results show that executive functions do not predict subjective QoL and that the development of interventions focussed on executive functions in patients with SMI is not recommended. Verbal intelligence significantly predicts subjective QoL and therefore might be a future target for interventions for patients with SMI. Psychopathology strongly predicted subjective and objective QoL and therefore should remain the main focus in the treatment of patients with SMI.