Psychometric evaluation of the subjective well-being under neuroleptic treatment scale (SWN) in patients with schizophrenia, their relatives and controls

The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptic treatment scale 20-item version (SWN) in patients, their siblings and parents and in healthy controls. In order to study heritability of subjective wellbeing, assessment in unaffected relatives and healthy controls is necessary. Data were obtained from the Dutch GROUP study (Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis), a large cohort study on non-affective psychotic disorders incorporating patients, their relatives and healthy controls. 545 schizophrenia patients, 541 siblings, 75 parents and 280 healthy controls completed the SWN scale and relevant other assessments. Reliability within the four groups ranged between Cronbach's alpha 0.88 and 0.92. Factor analysis indicated a single factor structure of the SWN scale which makes only SWN total scores relevant. The WHO-QoL psychological domain correlated highly with SWN total scores in all groups. Subclinical psychotic experiences were found to be associated with SWN total scores in relatives and healthy controls, supporting the psychosis continuum concept. The 20-item SWN scale is a reliable measure for subjective wellbeing which can also be used in relatives and healthy controls to investigate genetic and psychological dispositions of subjective wellbeing.

• View at Publisher
• View at Pubmed
• View at Scopus
• View at Web of Science