title: The dimensions of life quality in a community.
abstract: In this study the dimensions of the quality of life construct were investigated; 454 residents of a large suburban community were asked questions on life changes, psychiatric distress, happiness, and effective participation in life concerns. Selected variables from this survey were factor-analyzed in order to define the dimensions of life quality and six demographic variables; age, sex, marital status, education, income, and religious participation were studied to see how they influenced those dimensions. The results of the analysis revealed that life quality is measurable in terms of a person's happiness, his community participation, and his preferences, answering three major questions that person may pose for himself: (1) How well do I like the life I lead? (2) In what meaningful ways do I spend my time? (3) Why? Each of the six demographic variables influenced these dimensions. Marital status and age, two life-cycle statistics, had the most powerful effects on quality-of-life ratings.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012067:Religion; D012737:Sex Factors; D012951:Socialization; D014505:Urban Population