Eine hohe Lebensqualität reduziert depressive Symptome von Maßregelvollzugspatientinnen und -patienten

INTRODUCTION: The restrictive conditions of placement in forensic psychiatry institutions influence the quality of life and depressiveness of those placed in the hospital and thus the mental health and the success of therapeutic measures. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to obtain an insight into the quality of life and the burden of depressive symptoms from the patient’s point of view. It will be analyzed which domains of quality of life are related to depressive symptoms and whether the duration of the treatment has an influence on the depressiveness of the patients. METHODS: Quality of life was assessed using the Measuring the Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) questionnaire, adapted to the conditions of forensic psychiatry. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the General Depression Scale (ADS). A total of N = 73 subjects participated in the study. RESULTS: Quality of life was positively rated on average. The relationship with the therapeutic staff was rated highest. In addition, there were significant differences in quality of life between patients with severe depressive symptoms and those without. Duration of detention was a significant predictor of depression scores of addicted patients. CONCLUSION: Quality of life and depressiveness are significantly negatively correlated. To improve the quality of accommodation and care, clinical staff should promote the quality of life of those accommodated in the identified areas to the best of their ability and identify and treat depressive symptoms, especially at the time of admission and during longer treatment periods. In this context, attention should be paid to achieving a stable therapeutic alliance.