Abstract
The study set out to examine Quality of Life (QoL), specifically subjective well being in three different addiction populations
(260 alcohol-dependent, 282 drug-dependent, and 132 pathological gambling outpatients) at their first visit to treatment,
using the Personal Well being Index (PWI). The mean PWI score for all patients was significantly below (i.e., 15 points) Asian
norms. Despite reporting a greater addiction severity, alcohol patients scored significantly higher on the PWI compared with
drug patients. Despite having demographic characteristics associated with higher functioning, gambling patients did not have
the highest QoL; falling in between the alcohol and drug patients. Being married was the only significant predictor of normal
personal wellbeing, whilst having debts, a past/current psychiatric morbidity, and a higher addiction severity significantly
predicted an abnormal personal wellbeing. Treatment services should pay close attention and target the specific life domains
where poor satisfaction is reported by the different addiction populations.
(260 alcohol-dependent, 282 drug-dependent, and 132 pathological gambling outpatients) at their first visit to treatment,
using the Personal Well being Index (PWI). The mean PWI score for all patients was significantly below (i.e., 15 points) Asian
norms. Despite reporting a greater addiction severity, alcohol patients scored significantly higher on the PWI compared with
drug patients. Despite having demographic characteristics associated with higher functioning, gambling patients did not have
the highest QoL; falling in between the alcohol and drug patients. Being married was the only significant predictor of normal
personal wellbeing, whilst having debts, a past/current psychiatric morbidity, and a higher addiction severity significantly
predicted an abnormal personal wellbeing. Treatment services should pay close attention and target the specific life domains
where poor satisfaction is reported by the different addiction populations.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-011-9349-y
- Authors
- Victoria Manning, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, S(539747), Singapore
- Brenda Gomez, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, S(539747), Singapore
- Song Guo, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, S(539747), Singapore
- Yee Deng Low, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, S(539747), Singapore
- Puay Kee Koh, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, S(539747), Singapore
- Kim Eng Wong, National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, S(539747), Singapore
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874