Individuals diagnosed with a personality disorder (PD) are often confronted with a low quality of life (QoL) and high health costs, both important outcome variables among cost-effectiveness studies...Show moreIndividuals diagnosed with a personality disorder (PD) are often confronted with a low quality of life (QoL) and high health costs, both important outcome variables among cost-effectiveness studies. Several factors have been identified that are associated with a low QoL and high health costs in individuals diagnosed with a PD. The influence of trauma is unknown. It has been found that PDs are associated with both past trauma experiences and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their daily life. While several studies suggested that individuals with a Borderline PD (BPD) and comorbid PTSD suffer from a more impaired QoL compared to individuals with a single disorder, less is known about the effect of PTSD on PDs other than BPD and the relation between trauma severity and health costs. The current study investigates the effect of both childhood trauma and current PTSD symptoms on QoL and health costs in individuals diagnosed with a PD and the possible mediating role of QoL on the relationship between trauma and health costs. The sample consisted of 65 individuals, with a mean age of 38 (SD = 12.3), diagnosed with one or more PDs. Data was collected with several questionnaires (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, Treatment Inventory of Costs in Patients with psychiatric disorders, and the Mental Health Quality of Life questionnaire). The results show that severity of current PTSD symptoms (t(58) = -4.19, p < .001) but not childhood trauma was related to a decreased QoL in individuals diagnosed with a PD. Both current PTSD symptoms and childhood trauma were not significantly related to health costs. QoL did not perform a mediating role on the relationship between trauma and health costs. To conclude, severe PTSD symptoms represent an additional deprivation for QoL among personality-disordered individuals in this sample. This conclusion is based on a relatively small sample, thus should be further investigated with a larger sample.Show less
Studies in various patient populations have found reduced quality of life, lower self-esteem and more cognitive complaints compared to the general population. Research indicates that similar...Show moreStudies in various patient populations have found reduced quality of life, lower self-esteem and more cognitive complaints compared to the general population. Research indicates that similar tendencies are also observable in patients with personality disorders, however only a few studies have addressed these areas in patients with Cluster C personality disorder, despite the fact, that it is the most prevalent personality disorder type. The goal of the present study was to describe the most commonly occurring cognitive complaints in this patient population, as well as to examine the associations between quality of life, self-esteem and cognitive complaints. For this purpose, data from 347 outpatients with Cluster C personality disorder was analysed as part of a greater nationwide ongoing research. To operationalize the constructs of interest, the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and the MHQoL-7D questionnaires were used, measuring cognitive complaints, self-esteem and quality of life respectively. Linear regression analysis as well as visual inspection of descriptives were the statistical methods of choice. Results indicated mild disability on the cognitive domain in the patient population. Furthermore, significant associations were found between more cognitive complaints and lower self-esteem (p ˂ .001) and lower quality of life (p ˂ .001). Additionally, higher self-esteem correlated with better quality of life (p ˂ .001) and higher age of the participants (p ˂ .001). Higher age was also associated with lower quality of life (p = .047). Nationality and gender did not have a statistically significant association with any outcome variable. These results were in line with findings of previous research in other patient populations. As these characteristics can potentially influence treatment outcomes, the findings of the current study can be considered an important contribution to the currently lacking knowledge base of patients with Cluster C personality disorder.Show less
Aims and objectives. This study aims to describe behavioural aspects, cognition, and epilepsy course and identify predictors for Quality of Life (QoL) in adolescents and adults two to ten years...Show moreAims and objectives. This study aims to describe behavioural aspects, cognition, and epilepsy course and identify predictors for Quality of Life (QoL) in adolescents and adults two to ten years after achieving remission from epileptic encephalopathy with spike-wave activation in sleep (EE-SWAS). Background. Children with EE-SWAS, a childhood epilepsy syndrome, often experience neurodevelopmental arrest or regression, which consists of a heterogeneous combination of behavioural and cognitive deficits. Three-quarters of the patients in EE-SWAS remission have permanent deficits. Long-term follow-up studies are scarce but suggest a relation between the aetiology, EE-SWAS duration, and use of corticosteroid treatment with neurodevelopmental outcome of patients in remission. Design. This study utilised a cross-sectional observational design with questionnaires and retrospective data collection. Methods. Parents or caregivers of patients digitally filled out the Epilepsy Questionnaire and the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire-55 (QOLCE-55). Results. A total of 35 adolescents and adults with a mean age of 18.2 (SD±3.76) years were included in the statistical analysis. The participants consisted of 18 male and 17 female adolescents and adults who were in ≥ 2 years in EE-SWAS remission. An established aetiology occurred in 19 participants, the median EE-SWAS duration was 4.3 (IQR 2.0-7.0) years, and 13 participants received corticosteroid treatment. The mean QOLCE-55 score for the sample size was 50.0 (SD±16.97). A significant difference of 10.3 points between the means of the QOLCE-55 score of patients with an established (M=45.3, SD±16.20) and an unknown (M=55.6, SD±16.65) aetiology has been found (t=1.841, df=33, p=.038). No difference was found in the QOLCE-55 means between patients with and without corticosteroid treatment (t=0.831, df=33, p=.226). Moreover, no correlation was found between the EE-SWAS duration and QOLCE-55 scores (ρ= -.298, p=.052 (n=31). No statically significant predictors of the QOLCE-55 scores were found in the multivariate regression analysis with an established aetiology (B=-4.5, p=.430), duration (B=-0.1, p=.108), and corticosteroid treatment (B=3.2, p=.595). Conclusions. Although no statistically significant predictors of QoL in EE-SWAS remission in adolescents and adults were found, an established aetiology and longer duration of EE-SWAS showed a potential trend as predictors of a poorer QoL. The study’s findings confirm the presence of cognitive deficits experienced in EE-SWAS remission, aligning with previous literature.Show less
Introduction: This thesis focuses on Quality of Life as defined by Schalock. Research has been performed to see if different assessed parts of Quality of Life of residents at Ipse de Bruggen match...Show moreIntroduction: This thesis focuses on Quality of Life as defined by Schalock. Research has been performed to see if different assessed parts of Quality of Life of residents at Ipse de Bruggen match the amount of developmental goals aimed at these areas. How does quality of life appear in support plans at Ipse de Bruggen? Method: An assessment was made of current Quality of Life at Ipse de Bruggen. Following this developmental goals were collected and coded based on which part of Quality of Life they were part of. The results of the assessment and coding of developmental goals were then compared. Finally, the outcomes were verified using several interviews with behavioral experts working at Ipse de Bruggen. Results: The assessment of different components of Quality of Life greatly don't match the amount of goals put up on these areas. Noteworthy is how Social Inclusion scores lowest but also has few goals striving to improve this. Focus seems to lie on the area of Personal Development. This scores around the median. However, when compared with level of development. It is seen that Personal Development gets lower scores the lower the developmental level of the client. There have also been indications that these developmental goals don't seem to actually match the desired level of quality needed for effective use. Discussion: It can be concluded that developmental goals do not always match the assessed Quality of Life of clients. There seems to be a sort of hierarchy in this construct where certain components of Quality of Life have to be fulfilled first before attention can be switched to different aspects of this construct. There also seems to be insufficient knowledge of the definitions of aspects of Quality of Life under carers. More focus on schooling could be a solution to this. It is recommended to perform follow-up research to see if different parts of Quality of Life return in the way in people of different developmental levels. It is also recommended to further research the current quality of developmental goals in Ipse de Bruggen.Show less
The issue on school dropouts has a great effect on societies and when a country faces the problem, it is mostly the largest problem in its educational system. This counts as well for Puerto Rico,...Show moreThe issue on school dropouts has a great effect on societies and when a country faces the problem, it is mostly the largest problem in its educational system. This counts as well for Puerto Rico, the island faces a problem with school dropouts and it is clear that intervention programs are desired to give support on solving this problem and therewith to increase Quality Of Life (QOL) of youth. In Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy (PRYCA), is one of these intervention programs and therewith, this field research answers the following research question: “How does PRYCA contribute to the quality of life of its students?”Show less
