Conceptual principles of quality of life: an empirical exploration

Abstract

[Structured summary]: Background: Quality of life is a popular measure of outcomes and its widespread use has led to recent calls for a better understanding of the construct, emphasising the need to build a substantial body of knowledge around what determines perceptions of life quality. Some conceptual principles are examined in this study. Method: Self-ratings of life quality and three likely determinants at an individual level (stress), an interactional level (social support) and a community level (neighbourhood belonging) were used. Two groups of young adults from an urban community participated, one identified as having an intellectual disability. Results: Young adults with intellectual disability rated their satisfaction with health significantly higher and intimacy and community involvement lower than the comparison group. Social support emerged as the strongest predictor of life satisfaction across both groups. Conclusion: The conceptual principles of subjective quality of life provide a useful framework to discuss findings and to stimulate further research.