Physical health behaviours and health locus of control in people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder: a cross-sectional comparative study with people with non-psychotic mental illness
2011

Comparing Physical Health Behaviors in People with Severe Mental Illness and Non-Psychotic Mental Illness

Sample size: 146 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Buhagiar Kurt, Parsonage Liam, Osborn David PJ

Primary Institution: University College London Medical School

Hypothesis

How do people with severe mental illness perceive their physical health compared to those with non-psychotic mental illness?

Conclusion

People with severe mental illness prioritize their physical health less than those with non-psychotic mental illness.

Supporting Evidence

  • People with severe mental illness are more likely to smoke.
  • Participants with severe mental illness reported lower prioritization of physical health.
  • Health locus of control was significantly influenced by powerful others and chance in people with severe mental illness.

Takeaway

People with severe mental illness often don't think about their physical health as much as they should, which can lead to serious health problems.

Methodology

Cross-sectional comparative study using self-completed questionnaires.

Potential Biases

Potential bias from self-selection of participants and reliance on self-reported diagnoses.

Limitations

The study relied on self-reported data and did not include a general population comparison group.

Participant Demographics

52 participants with severe mental illness, 94 with non-psychotic mental illness; 53.8% male in SMI group.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.029

Confidence Interval

95% CI 0.2-0.9

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-244X-11-104

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