BACKGROUND: The importance of the valid assessment of quality of life (QOL) is heightened with the increased use of the QOL construct as a basis for policies and practices in the field of intellectual disability (ID). METHOD: This article discusses the principles that should guide the measurement process, the major interrogatories (i.e. who, what, when, where, why, and how) of QOL measurement, issues and procedures in the cross-cultural measurement of QOL, and the current uses of QOL data. RESULTS: Based on the above methods, the article presents a number of important guidelines regarding QOL measurement. CONCLUSION: From a measurement perspective the use of the QOL construct is changing. Initially it was used as a sensitizing notion, social construct, and unifying theme. Increasingly, it is being used as conceptual framework for assessing quality outcomes, a social construct that guides quality enhancement strategies, and a criterion for assessing the effectiveness of those strategies. This new role places additional emphasis on the valid assessment of one's QOL.
BACKGROUND: The importance of the valid assessment of quality of life (QOL) is heightened with the increased use of the QOL construct as a basis for policies and practices in the field of intellectual disability (ID). METHOD: This article discusses the principles that should guide the measurement process, the major interrogatories (i.e. who, what, when, where, why, and how) of QOL measurement, issues and procedures in the cross-cultural measurement of QOL, and the current uses of QOL data. RESULTS: Based on the above methods, the article presents a number of important guidelines regarding QOL measurement. CONCLUSION: From a measurement perspective the use of the QOL construct is changing. Initially it was used as a sensitizing notion, social construct, and unifying theme. Increasingly, it is being used as conceptual framework for assessing quality outcomes, a social construct that guides quality enhancement strategies, and a criterion for assessing the effectiveness of those strategies. This new role places additional emphasis on the valid assessment of one's QOL.
Authors: Josep Garre-Olmo; Xènia Planas-Pujol; Secundino López-Pousa; Myron F Weiner; Antoni Turon-Estrada; Dolors Juvinyà; David Ballester; Joan Vilalta-Franch Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2010-02-03 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Jenny Downs; Peter Jacoby; Helen Leonard; Amy Epstein; Nada Murphy; Elise Davis; Dinah Reddihough; Andrew Whitehouse; Katrina Williams Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2018-11-20 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Lore Van Damme; Olivier Colins; Jessica De Maeyer; Robert Vermeiren; Wouter Vanderplasschen Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2014-11-28 Impact factor: 4.147