Quality of life in anxiety disorders: Its relation to work and social functioning and dysfunctional cognitions: An exploratory study from India

The aim of the study was to examine quality of life, functioning, disability, work and social adjustment, depression, anxiety and dysfunctional cognitions in patients with anxiety disorders. One hundred patients with anxiety disorders and 98 non-clinical participants were recruited for the study. A cross sectional design was adopted. The participants were assessed on the WHOQoL-BREF, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) and Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney test, Spearman's Rho and regression analysis. Patients with anxiety disorders reported significantly lower quality of life than the community sample (df = 98, p < .001). A shorter duration of illness was associated with lower quality of life. QoL was significantly correlated with severity of anxiety, depression and stress as well as with measures of disability and adjustment. Partial correlations indicated that depression did not significantly impact the relationship between work and social adjustment and QoL. Work and social adjustment, depression and dysfunctional cognitions emerged as significant predictors of QoL. The findings of the study are discussed in the light of existing research and the implications for future interventions are highlighted.

► QoL in anxiety disorders has only been recently addressed in research.
► QoL was significantly impaired in patients with anxiety disorders.
► QoL was associated with poorer work social adjustment, depression.
► Shorter duration of illness was associated with lower QoL.
► Work and social adjustment, depression and dysfunctional cognitions emerged as significant predictors of QoL.