Applicability, Internal Structure, and basic Patterns of a Multicultural Brief Quality of Life Measure in a Sample of Psychiatric Patients with Comorbid Substance Use Disorders

Background: The measurement of quality of life as estimate of well being is assuming increasing importance in the evaluation of health and treatment efficacy. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability, internal structure and clinical patterns of the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI), a brief, self-rated, culturally informed, quality of life scale, in patients experiencing comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders. Methods: Sixty-two consecutively admitted outpatients completed the MQLI. With this data, the applicability, internal consistency, factorial structure, and prediction of treatment adherence over a three-month period were assessed. Results: It was found that the MQLI was easy to administer. It had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.89). Factor analysis revealed that the first factor explained 53% of the variance, indicating the unidimensionality of the instrument around quality of life. Two MQLI items, interpersonal functioning and the availability of supports, significantly predicted treatment adherence. Conclusions: The MQLI is easy to use, it has a coherent structure, and is clinically useful in psychiatric patients with comorbid substance use disorders.