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Quality of life as a concept and measurable entity

  • Improving The Quality Of Life Of People With And Without Disabilities
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Abstract

This chapter proposes that “quality of life” (QOL) is a multidimensional concept, the measurement of which must contain objective elements of a person's life. It is further suggested that in the development of QOL measurement instruments the selection of items must be influenced significantly by the views of the population under study. Instruments to measure quality of life have been flawed owing to their inadequate conceptual bases and the attempts to utilise general measures which are often the “broad brush” to detect changes in disease specific situations. The chapter outlines conceptual approaches to quality of life and provides an analysis of a range of definitions. It provides an overview of a number of approaches to measure QOL in specific populations. Finally, it addresses some of the potential uses and abuses involved in the measurement of QOL.

The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.

(Albert Einstein, 1950, p. 59)

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  1. School of Education, Macquarie University, 2109, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Trevor R. Parmenter

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Parmenter, T.R. Quality of life as a concept and measurable entity. Soc Indic Res 33, 9–46 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078957

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