Quality of Life as an Indicator of the Quality of Life as an Indicator of the

SINC@HE ProjectSINC@HE Project

Elisavet PavlidouPhD Student, University of Macedonia, Greece

Quality of life: meaningQuality of life: meaning

• ‘‘quality’’ makes us think about the excellenceassociated with human values, such as happiness,

success, wealth, health, and satisfaction,• ‘‘of life’’ indicates that the concept concernsthe very essence of essential aspects of humanexistence.

The Concept of Quality of Life The Concept of Quality of Life This meaning explains why the concept of quality of life is impacting the field

of intellectual disabilities and why throughout the world it is being used as a:

• sensitizing notion that gives us a sense of reference and guidance from the individual’s perspective, focusing on the person and the individual’s environment;

• social construct that is being used as an overriding principle to enhance an individual’s well-being and to collaborate for change at the societal level;

• unifying theme that is providing a common language and a systematic framework to apply quality of life concepts and principles.

DefinitionDefinition

The quality of life is defined as the personal perception of each person's position in the context of society and value system in which he lives according to his goals, expectations and interests. Moreover, the quality of life is a broad-spectrum approach, which influenced directly by the physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social contacts, but also of the prominent features of the environment

Individual-Referenced Quality of Life Conceptual and Individual-Referenced Quality of Life Conceptual and Measurement FrameworkMeasurement Framework

FactorFactor Domain and Exemplary IndicatorsDomain and Exemplary Indicators

Independence Independence Personal Development:Personal Development: personal skills, adaptive behaviors personal skills, adaptive behaviorsSelf-Determination:Self-Determination: choices, decisions, autonomy choices, decisions, autonomy

Social Social Participation Participation

Interpersonal Relations:Interpersonal Relations: Friendships, social networks Friendships, social networksSocial Inclusion:Social Inclusion: Community involvement, roles Community involvement, rolesRights: Access, dignity, respectRights: Access, dignity, respect

Well-Being Well-Being Emotional:Emotional: safety and security, positive safety and security, positiveexperiences, successexperiences, successPhysical:Physical: Health and nutrition status, recreation Health and nutrition status, recreationMaterial:Material: Income, possessions Income, possessions

Domains of Quality of LifeDomains of Quality of Life

• Domains refer to the set of factors composing personal well-being and should be thought of as the range over which the QOL construct extends

Indicators of Quality of LifeIndicators of Quality of Life

• Indicators refer to QOL domain-specific perceptions, behaviours, or conditions that give an indication of the person’s well-being. These indicators are the basis for assessing quality outcomes which refer to valued personal experiences and circumstances

Core principals Core principals • Is composed of those same factors and relationships for people with

intellectual disabilities that are important to those without disabilities;• is experienced when a person’s needs and wants are met and when

one has the opportunity to pursue life enrichment in major life settings;• has both subjective and objective components but is primarily the

perception of the individual that reflects the quality of life he/she experiences;

• is based on individual needs, choices, and control • is a multidimensional construct influenced bypersonal and

environmental factors, such as intimate relationships, family life, friendships, work, neighborhood, city or town of residence

Conceptual PerspectivesConceptual Perspectives

• Quality of life as life conditions (Felce & Perry 1995)• Quality of Life as satisfaction with life (Edgerton, 1990)• Quality of life as a combination of living and satisfaction

(Felce & Perry, 1995)• Quality of life as a combination living and personal

satisfaction with emphasis on personal values (Cummins, 1992)

Applying the concept of Quality of LifeApplying the concept of Quality of Life

Five principles:• Enhance individual’s well-being• Quality of life is applied in the light of the individual’s

cultural and ethic heritage• The aims of any quality of life oriented program should be

to collaborate for change at the personal , program, community and national levels.

Applying the concept of Quality of LifeApplying the concept of Quality of Life

• Quality of life applications should enhance the degree of personal control and individual opportunity

• Quality of life should occupy a prominent role in gathering evidence, especially in identifying the significant predictors of a life of quality and the impact of targeting resources to maximize positive effects.

Levels of ApplicationLevels of Application

• Personal• Organizational• Social

PersonalPersonal Enhance personal well –being through:Enhance personal well –being through:• Development of Self-Determination• Decision-making skill• Self-regulation skill• Self-control skill

OrganizationalOrganizational

Measures to achieve the results• Enhance public accountability• Improve internal accountability• Focus on long term goals and strategic planning• Enhance competitiveness• Targets adaptation to increase empowerment,

inclusion, respect, personal choices and goals

Social Social

Enhancing national policy on disability and quality of life

• equal treatment• autonomy• empowerment• Individualized services• inclusion