Quality of life (QOL) is very subjective and depends on the context and perception of the insider especially for people with schizophrenia.

To explore the meaning and the component of QOL of person with schizophrenia from the perspectives of patient themselves and family caregivers in the Thai context.

To develop the concept and the components of QOL of persons with schizophrenia based on their perspectives.

This is a qualitative study. The informants were 51 schizophrenic patients and 50 family caregivers from 4 regions of Thailand (northern, north eastern, central and southern regional area). Semi-structured interview was used to elicit the information concerning their life after the disease; the changes that happen; the feelings; and the needs. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. This interview guideline was also used to elicit data from the family caregivers.

The quality of life is the degree to which a person with schizophrenia can maintain the capability to live their life in the 7 components, including:

1. 1) everyday life component,

2. 2) residual symptom component,

3. 3) side effect and attitude to treatment component,

4. 4) role and function component,

5. 5) family component,

6. 6) social and community component, and

7. 7) human rights component.

The QOL for person with schizophrenia and its components is differed from the QOL of general population. This could serve as the preliminary data to plan the intervention to strengthen the capability of those afflicted people to enhance their QOL; and to extend the concept of QOL for person with schizophrenia.