The PCASEE Model: An Approach to Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

There are many ways to measure the functional state of an individual, and the number of proposals for scales purported to measure quality of life is growing at a fast rate. This indicates that few of the existing measures in this area are satisfactory. One of the reasons for dissatisfaction with the majority of scales in this area is the disparity between dimensions selected to assess functioning and those selected to assess quality of life. The PCASEE model aims to overcome this difficulty by adding a quality of life/satisfaction measure to each of the dimensions of functioning. The latter have been selected so as to correspond in general terms to the axes of the DSM-III-R because of the wide use of that classification and familiarity among mental health professionals with the way of using DSM-III-R axes. The PCASEE method addresses six dimensions: P, physical indicators; C, cognitive indicators; A, affective indicators; S, social indicators; E, economic-social stressors; E, ego functions. The model has been described in’ detail elsewhere (Bech 1993). These dimensions correspond to those implied by DSM-III-R axes (American Psychiatric Association 1987). Thus, P corresponds to DSM-III-R axis 3 (somatic syndromes), C to DSM-III axis 1 (organic mental syndromes), A to DSM-III-R axis 1 (mental (mood) syndromes), S to DSM-III-R axis 5 (social functioning), E, to DSMIII- R axis 4 (psychosocial stressors), and E to DSM-III-R axis 2 (personability disorders) (see Table 1).