Relationship between anxiety and quality of life in older mental health patients

Aim This study aims to investigate the impact of anxiety on quality of life ( QOL ) in older people with mental disorders. Method Forty patients from a district Older Persons Mental Health Service were assessed using the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview ( MINI ‐5). They then completed the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale ( WHOQOL‐BREF ), Geriatric Anxiety Inventory and Geriatric Depression Scale. Results Self‐reported anxiety was significantly associated with reduced overall QOL on the WHOQOL‐BREF . Anxiety was also associated with the psychological, social and environmental domains of the WHOQOL‐BREF , but not with the physical health domain. Anxiety was correlated with more individual domains of QOL than depression. Conclusions Anxiety makes a significant contribution to self‐rated QOL in older people with serious mental disorders.