The Effects of Human Rights-Friendly Service Experience on the Life Satisfaction of Inpatients with Psychiatric Disabilities: A Multi-Group Analysis of Health Care Status

Abstract

One of the experiences individuals with psychiatric disabilities inevitably have in the process of their recovery is inpatient treatment at psychiatric institutions. This study examines the effects of human rights-friendly service (HRFS) experience on the life satisfaction of individuals with psychiatric disabilities admitted to psychiatric institutions. Specifically, this study looks at the effects of five HRFSs suggested by the WHO Quality Rights Tool Kit (i.e., adequate living and privacy, mental and physical health, self-determination, freedom from abuse and violence, and community integration services) on inpatients’ life satisfaction. It further examines whether the effects of HRFS on life satisfaction vary depending on the status of health care coverage. To address research questions, we conducted SEM and multi-group analysis on the data of 228 inpatients who participated in the National Human Resources Committee's Survey in 2022. The key findings are as follows. First, inpatients’ life satisfaction increases with more services for ensuring “adequate living and privacy”, “self-determination”, and “freedom from abuse and violence”. Second, the result of the multi-group analysis showed that the effects of all five HRFSs on inpatients’ life satisfaction vary depending on the status of health care coverage. Based on the results, we discussed practical and policy implications for improving the life satisfaction of inpatients with psychiatric disabilities.