Introduction: The most prevalent emotional disorders in the general population—such as depression, anxiety, and somatization—exert a substantial impact on well-being and impose a considerable burden on healthcare systems. Traditionally, both research and clinical practice have emphasized symptom reduction as the primary indicator of therapeutic success and treatment efficacy. However, this approach is insufficient to capture subjective well-being and the broader impact on daily functioning. Quality of life (QoL), defined by the World Health Organization as an individual's perception of their position in life in relation to their cultural context, values, goals, and expectations (WHOQOL Group, 1994), represents a multidimensional construct encompassing physical health, psychological status, social relationships, and environmental factors.
Purpose: The present work aims to highlight the need to integrate QoL as a key outcome measure in the evaluation of psychological interventions, complementing traditional symptom-based assessments.
Method: A systematic review with exploratory elements was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. Studies published between September 2015 and September 2025 addressing large-scale psychotherapy programs implemented in healthcare contexts were included.
Results: The systematic review identifies relevant studies examining the outcomes of including QoLmeasures. EUROHISQoL and WHOQOL-BREF are the most cited instruments.The increasingly used in recent research to provide a multidimensional appraisal of QoL, is underscored.
Conclusions: The systematic incorporation of QoL into clinical evaluation is expected to yield a more comprehensive understanding of the real-world impact of psychological interventions, moving beyond the sole reduction of psychopathological symptoms. Positioning QoL as a central outcome will generate valuable insights into the physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions that shape overall well-being, thereby advancing a more integrative and patient-centered approach in clinical practice.