Comparison of Quality of Life and Mental Health in Spouses of the Patients' with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression and Normal Population

This study aimed to compare quality of life and mental health in patients' spouses with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and with normal controls. The study population consisted of patients' spouses whose husbands suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive and were admitted to the psychiatric ward of Imam Hossein and Razi psychiatric hospital. As well as patients' spouses with schizophrenia who were in the association for the support of people with schizophrenic disorder and spouses of normal ones. Therefore, 40 patients' spouses with schizophrenia, 40 patients' spouses with bipolar disorder, 40 patients' spouses affected with major depressive disorder, and 40 normal subjects were non-randomly selected. They completed two questionnaires for the measurement of quality of life (SF-36) and mental health (SCL-90-R). This was a ex-post-facto study. The following results by descriptive statistics and analytical statistics (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Wittney-U) were obtained: There were significant differences in all components of quality of life between spouses of normal people and bipolar patients, major depressive disorder, as well as schizophrenic patients.
Beside, there were significant differences between normal group and bipolar, major depression, as well as schizophrenic groups in terms of all dimensions of mental health. Hence, it could be suggested that psychological experiences of patients with schizophrenia bipolar, disorder, and major depression could influence their spouses’ quality of life and mental health. Also, regarding their different symptoms, each of the mentioned disorders could have different effects on spouses’ quality of life and mental health.