Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issues
Background Existing instruments used in health economics to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been criticized as they might not sufficiently reflect the HRQoL impacts of mental health problems. Our study investigates mental health patients’ experiences of such impacts with a view t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2465209 |
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| author | Yeujin Ki Andrew Athan Mcaleavey Janne-Merete Torset Øien Tron Anders Moger Christian Moltu |
| author_facet | Yeujin Ki Andrew Athan Mcaleavey Janne-Merete Torset Øien Tron Anders Moger Christian Moltu |
| author_sort | Yeujin Ki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Existing instruments used in health economics to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been criticized as they might not sufficiently reflect the HRQoL impacts of mental health problems. Our study investigates mental health patients’ experiences of such impacts with a view to identifying potential domains that conventional HRQoL instruments might overlook. Methods Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants receiving specialist mental health services in Norway. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Five main themes were identified describing mental disorders' impact on patients’ HRQoL: “Reduced functioning impacts”, “Mental process impacts”, “Social impacts”, “Fragility”, and “Sleep difficulty”. While some overlap with conventional HRQoL instruments exists, distinct dimensions were identified, notably, “Fragility,” encompassing unpredictability and inflexibility in daily life. Conclusions The findings suggest that comprehensive assessment should consider broader mental health impacts beyond anxiety and depression, including cognitive difficulties, obstructive self-perception, and feelings of meaninglessness. Additionally, the impact of unpredictability on daily functioning and the role of sleep difficulties should be incorporated. These insights can inform the development of more patient-centred HRQoL measures for mental health populations, potentially leading to more accurate evaluation of mental health interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4180bab8a9484c8db49f341be8d772eb |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1748-2623 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj-art-4180bab8a9484c8db49f341be8d772eb2025-08-20T03:12:07ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312025-12-0120110.1080/17482631.2025.24652092465209Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issuesYeujin Ki0Andrew Athan Mcaleavey1Janne-Merete Torset Øien2Tron Anders Moger3Christian Moltu4Førde Hospital TrustFørde Hospital TrustFørde Hospital TrustUniversity of OsloWestern Norway University of Applied ScienceBackground Existing instruments used in health economics to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been criticized as they might not sufficiently reflect the HRQoL impacts of mental health problems. Our study investigates mental health patients’ experiences of such impacts with a view to identifying potential domains that conventional HRQoL instruments might overlook. Methods Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants receiving specialist mental health services in Norway. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Five main themes were identified describing mental disorders' impact on patients’ HRQoL: “Reduced functioning impacts”, “Mental process impacts”, “Social impacts”, “Fragility”, and “Sleep difficulty”. While some overlap with conventional HRQoL instruments exists, distinct dimensions were identified, notably, “Fragility,” encompassing unpredictability and inflexibility in daily life. Conclusions The findings suggest that comprehensive assessment should consider broader mental health impacts beyond anxiety and depression, including cognitive difficulties, obstructive self-perception, and feelings of meaninglessness. Additionally, the impact of unpredictability on daily functioning and the role of sleep difficulties should be incorporated. These insights can inform the development of more patient-centred HRQoL measures for mental health populations, potentially leading to more accurate evaluation of mental health interventions.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2465209specialist mental healthcarequality of life (qol)health-related quality of life (hrqol)mental disorders impactsmental health economics |
| spellingShingle | Yeujin Ki Andrew Athan Mcaleavey Janne-Merete Torset Øien Tron Anders Moger Christian Moltu Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issues International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being specialist mental healthcare quality of life (qol) health-related quality of life (hrqol) mental disorders impacts mental health economics |
| title | Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issues |
| title_full | Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issues |
| title_fullStr | Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issues |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issues |
| title_short | Measuring health-related quality of life: a qualitative study of mental health patients’ experiences of impacts of mental health issues |
| title_sort | measuring health related quality of life a qualitative study of mental health patients experiences of impacts of mental health issues |
| topic | specialist mental healthcare quality of life (qol) health-related quality of life (hrqol) mental disorders impacts mental health economics |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2465209 |
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