The contribution of job and leisure satisfaction to quality of life.

Examined the relationships between job and leisure satisfaction and their contributions to the perception of quality of life. Data were collected from a national probability sample of 1,297 adult Americans interviewed in May 1972. The magnitude of the correlations between job and leisure satisfaction measures was low; however, both accounted for meaningful variation in perceived quality of life for the total sample. Separate analyses for demographic subgroups were also performed. They indicated that job satisfaction and leisure satisfaction contributed relatively little to the life quality of minorities and other often "disadvantaged" subgroups compared to "advantaged" workers. Implications of the results for the application of motivational stategies in the work setting are discussed. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Selection bias in occupational sperm studies

OBJECTIVE: This study examined well-being and satisfaction with community services in adult survivors of childhood abuse. METHOD: A community sample of 109 individuals, 34 reporting childhood abuse (sexual, physical and/or emotional), completed a questionnaire package as part of a study of community well-being. The package included measures of demographic variables, satisfaction with community services, physical well-being, consumption of drugs (including nicotine & alcohol), loneliness, depression, and life stress. RESULTS: Less than half of those reporting abuse had confided in someone about their experience and only 14.3% had discussed it with a counsellor. The abuse versus no abuse groups did not differ in terms of general living circumstances (e.g., income, marital status, employment status, quality of housing). Despite this, the abuse group reported poorer well-being on several measures. CONCLUSIONS: There are clear limitations to the present data. Nonetheless, the results suggest that those reporting childhood abuse tend to experience poorer well-being than those who do not report abuse, even when the "objective" aspects of their circumstances are similar.     

Cost-utility analysis

Decisions have to be made about allocating health resources. Currently the best economic evaluation method for doing this is cost-utility analysis. This compares the costs of different procedures with their outcomes measured in "utility based" units--that is, units that relate to a person's level of wellbeing. The most commonly used unit is the quality adjusted life year (QALY). QALYs are calculated by estimating the total life years gained from a procedure and weighting each year to reflect the quality of life in that year. To compare outcomes of different programmes the Rosser index is one measure that is widely used to assign quality of life scores to patients. Combined with a measure of life years gained from a procedure, this enables QALYs to be calculated and procedures ranked according to cost per QALY gained. In this article Ray Robinson explains the measures used and discusses how QALY league tables can be used to guide decisions on resource allocation.     

Quality of life in adults with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition with a high mortality and morbidity. The aims of this study were to assess quality of life in a population of adults with cystic fibrosis, to compare quality of life with published scores from a healthy population and other patient groups, and to examine the relation between quality of life and other measured clinical variables. METHODS: Patients over 16 years of age attending an adult cystic fibrosis outpatient clinic were surveyed at a time when they were clinically stable. A self-complete questionnaire was administered which comprised the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) together with six additional questions related to cystic fibrosis. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were obtained from 240 subjects (100 women) of median age 26 years (range 16-56). Mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 49 (26)% predicted, forced vital capacity (FVC) was 68 (26)% predicted, and the FEV1:FVC ratio was 59 (16)%. In this cross sectional study different patterns of perceived quality of life were seen in men and women. In part 1 of the NHP there was an age related trend compared with norms in men, with more distress/disability in the dimensions of emotion, sleep, and social isolation in the older age groups. In women there was no age related trend in the degree of distress/disability compared with norms. The mean score was different from norms in the dimensions of pain, emotion and sleep. For the patients with cystic fibrosis as a whole the scores in part 1 were comparable with published scores of patients with minor non-acute conditions. Scores in part 2 of the NHP for men were different from norms in six of the seven areas of daily living (all except home life). For women the scores were different from norms in the areas of looking after the home, social life, hobbies, and holidays. There were correlations between several of the quality of life dimensions and other measured variables such as FEV1, breathlessness score, and the time spent on home treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women with cystic fibrosis have different patterns of perceived quality of life, and there is an age related trend of perceived quality of life in men in some dimensions. Quality of life scores in this group, as assessed by the NHP, are similar to those reported in subjects with minor non-acute conditions.     

External review for promotion and tenure in schools of nursing

A literature review conducted for a 1989 article on assessing the quality of life in surgical studies revealed that quality of life was more often mentioned than measured. Few authors reported the use of known, standardized scales. The objective of this study was to determine if and to what extent this situation has changed. A MEDLINE search of surgical studies published between 1989 and 1995 produced over 277 abstracts of surgical studies containing the words "quality of life." The abstracts were studied in three time periods: 1989-1990, 1991-1992 and 1993-1995. Findings indicated that the use of the term "quality of life" increased markedly over the study period, and studies using standardized measures escalated from 27.4% in 1989-1990 to 48.3% in 1993-1995. Those abstracts not stating how quality of life was assessed decreased from 48.4% in the early period to 21.7% in the last period. Of the abstracts reporting studies that used quality of life measures, 33% came from cancer studies, 21.7% from cardiovascular or respiratory studies, 14.8% from gastroenterology studies, 13.4% from nephrology studies and 6.1% from orthopedic studies. Surgical investigators selected a variety of global measures of quality of life as well as disease-specific instruments. The abstracts also revealed that surgeons are using quality-of-life assessment to monitor patients over time, to help select patients for surgery, to determine the effect of surgical treatment and for making policy decisions. Notwithstanding the limitations of this project, there is evidence in the literature that surgeons are increasingly willing to assess the impact of the surgical interventions by quality-of-life measures and are becoming more familiar with the diverse measures used to assess quality of life.     

Prevalence of upper abdominal complaints and their effect on the quality of life and utilization of medical resources. Swiss Primary Care Group

The authors present the results obtained in Switzerland, as part of an international survey (DIGEST), on 3 months' prevalence of upper digestive symptoms (UDS) and their influence on quality of life and consumption of medical services. 514 randomized adults from the general population in 8 different cities were interviewed. In these interviews data were recorded concerning demographic and socio economic aspects, quality of life, severity and frequency of UDS, consultations and medication. The sub-population with relevant UDS (i.e. UDS at least once a week and/or of moderate to severe degree) was compared with the rest of the population interviewed. 19% of the interviewees reported relevant UDS; of these, two thirds were women. No differences were found between people with and without UDS as far as education, professional activities, consumption of alcohol or smoking are concerned. The most frequent symptoms reported were fullness, bloating and nausea. However, daily activities were most impaired by nausea, epigastric pain and heartburn. Interviewees with UDS more frequently reported "life events" in the preceding year (48% vs 33%). Interviewees with UDS also more frequently reported back pain (7% vs 2%) and migraine (10% vs 6%). Furthermore, more interviewees with UDS reported sick leave (11% vs 3%); they also had a poorer life quality score (74 vs 89, PGWBI), reported more medical visits (50% vs 19%) and consumed more medication, both prescribed (65% vs 25%) and non-prescribed (OTC: 70% vs 31%).     

Ominous problem.

Discusses a problem in the educational system in terms of W. R. Looft's (see record 1972-02727-001) concept of the "psychology of more." "More" has been accepted as the criterion of quality in education (i.e., more students and more information). It has been forgotten that information without understanding is as useless as analysis and evaluation without information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Symptoms, hassles, social supports, and life events: Problem of confounded measures.

Recent stressful life events are related to a wide variety of psychological and physical disorders, but the relations have tended to be minimal. This has led investigators to introduce such factors as "hassles" and "social supports" in expanded investigations of life-stressed processes. As with life events scales, however, questions have been raised about whether the conceptual and operational distinctions have been clear enough to permit clear investigation of interrelations among these factors and adverse health changes. The present study examined judgments by 371 clinical psychologists of the extent to which items in leading stress instruments are likely to be symptoms of psychological disorder. Results indicate that each of the stress measures was confounded with measures of psychological distress, the Hassles Scale and the Instrumental-Expressive Support Scale more so than the Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Types of life events and social supports are discussed in terms of their relative dependence on personality and psychopathology. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation entre l'attachement et les interactions mère-enfant en milieu naturel et expérimental à l'age scolaire.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the relation between quality of mother-child interaction in a lab and home setting, and quality of attachment of school-age children. A second objective of the study is to evaluate the associations between quality of mother-child interactions, attachment and maternal psychosocial measures (social support, depression, and parental stress). Security of attachment (Separation-Reunion procedure, Main & Cassidy, 1988) and the quality of mother-child interaction was evaluated for a sample of 38 children (mean age = 6 years). Mothers also completed self-report measures for depression, stress, and social support. Concurrent to the lab assessment, quality of mother-child interaction was also evaluated during a home visit. Results indicated a strong association between interactive patterns in both settings. Moreover, interactive patterns differed in terms of attachment classification with secure children showing the most harmonious patterns and disorganized/controlling children showing the most dysfunctional patterns. Maternal psychosocial measures were not related to child security of attachment, but mothers of insecure children reported marginally more stress related to the child. Maternal psychosocial adjustment was, in part, related to dyadic mother-child interaction in the home and lab setting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

The purpose of the review is to outline the interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, available to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and treat the established disease. Current suggested guidelines for the most cost-effective treatment and prophylactic strategies are included following a consideration of the available options. As life expectancy has increased so has the incidence of PMO which has major quality of life implications for the sufferers and economic implications for the authorities responsible for their treatment. PMO represents a significant public health problem and although more effective treatments are becoming available prevention of the disease by taking account of existing risk factors is preferable. Indeed, a population approach to prevention may be more cost effective than screening for the disease. Attention to dietary calcium intake and exercise regimes have been shown to be effective prophylactic measures premenopausally, while the treatment of choice is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT treats other postmenopausal symptoms in addition to PMO and is available in many presentations, containing different hormones, at different doses intended for different routes of administration. The optimum treatment duration is controversial and may contribute to some of the risks associated with HRT such as endometrial and breast carcinoma and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Newer effective treatments include the bisphosphonates and novel formulations of calcitonin, but older approaches such as vitamin D, anabolic steroids and fluoride are still utilised in some circumstances. However, most promise has been shown by synthetic hormonal modulators currently being trialled.     

Biographical reconstruction of WWII experience: an exploration of German remembrance

First results of the Eldermensch-Study (N = 50) indicate that German National Socialism and the historical events associated with World War II play a central role in the oral histories of older Germans. Six distinct patterns of late life cognitive appraisal of war-time experience: survival challenge (further divided into "active" and "passive" survivorship), passive benefit, opportunism, value verification, and acceptance despite hardship are presented and discussed as structural themes in the life story. These categories not only represent interindividual differences in the appraisal of war-time experience, but often reflect contrasting patterns of personal response to the social and political circumstances of this era of German history. In addition to cohort and gender differences, divergence in locus of control orientation as well as the role of social bonding and instrumental social support are discussed. Differences revealed in the biographical interviews are further reflected in the results of standardized questionnaires.     

Consequences of fathers' participation in family work: Parents' role strain and well-being.

Examined the relation of fathers' participation in child care and home chores to parents' role strain and well-being in an interview study of 160 Caucasian middle-class fathers (mean age 41.11 yrs) and mothers (mean age 39.38 yrs) of kindergarten and 4th-grade children. In half of the families, mothers were employed. Four forms of paternal participation were examined. Role-strain items referred to immediate and specific problems such as time and energy constraints and role conflicts. Well-being measures assessed self-esteem, life satisfaction, and quality of experience in the parental and marital roles. Regression analyses indicated that when the level of fathers' participation was controlled maternal employment did not condition the relation between participation and the outcome variables. Findings varied for the different forms of participation. For fathers, higher levels of participation were associated with feeling more involved and competent as a parent and with being more critical of wives' patterns and parenting. For mothers, those whose husbands were more participant praised their husbands' parenting, but they were lower in life satisfaction and were more self-critical about their balance of work and family responsibilities. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The impact of asthma on health-related quality of life

Although a substantial body of epidemiological and economic literature on asthma exists, relatively little is known about the impact of asthma on health-related quality of life (HRQL). The purpose of this review was to synthesize results from recent studies, profile the factors influencing HRQL in asthmatics, discuss the impact of treatment on HRQL outcomes, and offer recommendations for further research. The results of this review support the premise that asthma can adversely affect the physical, psychological, and social domains of HRQL. Published data suggest that females, those from lower socioeconomic groups, and ethnic minorities experience poorer quality of life as a result of their asthma symptoms. Results of published clinical trials indicate treatment regimens can have a significant impact on HRQL outcomes. Pharmacological interventions appear to effect change primarily in the physical domain and behavioral interventions lead to improvements in both physical and psychosocial domains. Future research should focus on precise a priori delineation of research hypotheses, including the selection of primary and secondary endpoints, the clarification and consistent application of criteria for defining asthma severity, thoughtful selection of HRQL instruments appropriate for the research hypotheses and target population, and careful delineation of clinically meaningful change scores of asthma-specific outcome measures.     

"Reals", "roles", and demand features: A critical look at interview versus questionnaire measures of subjective states.

Hypothesized that questionnaire self-report measures of altered state experience are, by their very nature, affected by demand features, while interview self-report measures of subjective experience are more resistant to these vulnerabilities. It was hypothesized that an interview measure would distinguish the experiences of actual meditators (reals) from their role-playing counterparts (roles), while a questionnaire measure, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), would fail to so distinguish. It was also hypothesized that the order in which Ss were to complete the subjective measures would influence their PCI intensity scores, but not the content of their interviews. Data from 51 female undergraduates (aged 18–56 yrs) indicate that these hypotheses were generally confirmed. Findings support the greater validity of more "subjective" interview methods in research on qualitative states. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Methodological and statistical issues of quality of life (QoL) and economic evaluation in cancer clinical trials: report of a workshop

In recent years, quality of life (QoL) and economic evaluations have become increasingly important as additional outcome measures in cancer clinical trials. However, both fields of research are relatively new and in need of finding solutions to a substantial number of specific methodological problems. This paper reports on the proceedings of a symposium aimed at summarising and discussing some of the most contentious methodological and statistical issues in QoL and economic evaluations. In addition, possible solutions are indicated and the most pertinent areas of research are identified. Issues specific to QoL evaluations that are addressed include clinically meaningful changes in QoL scores; how to analyse QoL data and to handle missing and censored data and integration of length of life and QoL outcomes. Issues specific to economic evaluations are the advantages and disadvantages of various outcome measures; statistical methods to analyse economic data and choice of decision criteria and analytical perspective. How to perform QoL and economic evaluations in large and simple trials and whether the gap between QoL and utility measures can be bridged are also discussed.     

Cloning and characterisation of a thermostable alpha-DNA polymerase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus sp. TY

The mortality patterns of men and women of working age, in terms of the major causes of death, have changed over the past three decades. This study assesses the extent to which mortality among persons of working age represents an economic loss to society. This economic loss is measured by the per capita loss of productive working life, defined as the number of years, on the average, a person can expect to be an active member of the labor force. Causes of death affecting primarily older Americans (heart disease, cancer, stroke) had a relatively small and declining impact on the working lives of men and women. Major causes of death affecting the young (motor vehicle accidents, homicide, AIDS), although accounting for fewer deaths, were responsible for many more years of lost productivity. Gender and socioeconomic differentials in mortality suggest that different strategies are necessary for future reductions in lost work-years.     

Health professionals, disability, and assisted suicide: An examination of relevant empirical evidence and reply to Batavia (2000).

Prominent disability rights groups have adopted positions opposing the legalization of assisted suicide. That physicians and other health professionals would assist in suicides of persons with incurable conditions while offering suicide prevention to "healthy" individuals is, they maintain, evidence of social discrimination and an unwarranted devaluation of the quality of life of people with disabilities. This article examined empirical literature relevant to the question: Is there evidence that disability affects life in a manner that justifies an exception to the general practice of preventing rather than endorsing suicide? Research findings are discussed in terms of their bearing on the disability rights opposition to physician-assisted suicide and the need for research addressing the dynamics of death requests of persons with disabilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A creative personality scale for the Adjective Check List.

The Adjective Check List was administered to 7 male and 5 female samples comprising 1,701 Ss. Direct or inferred ratings of creativity were available for all Ss. The samples covered a wide range of ages and kinds of work; criteria of creativity were also varied, including ratings by expert judges, faculty members, personality assessment staff observers, and life history interviewers. The creativity scales of G. Domino (1974) and C. E. Schaefer (1972, 1973) were scored on all protocols, as were G. S. Welsh's (1975) A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4 scales for different combinations of "origence" and "intelligence." From item analyses a new 30-item Creative Personality Scale was developed that was positively and significantly related to all 6 of the prior measures but that surpassed them in its correlations with the criterion evaluations. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral Aspects of the Ecocrisis.

This item addresses natural resource depletion and comments that four articles in the American Psychologist's January 1972 edition [APA Task Force on Psychology, Family Planning, and Population Policy (see record 1990-56949-001); R. Buckhout (see record 1972-22841-001); S. H. Newman and M. F. Kelty (see record 1990-56950-001) and M. B. Smith (see record 1972-22844-001)] are heartening evidence of psychology's growing concern with ecology. All of these articles examined the issues of family planning and population density. Briefly, the task is to adjust humans to a world in which there is zero population growth, zero economic growth, and essentially perfect recycling. This author asserts that it would be helpful if APA formally resolved opposition to further growth in population and national product, as well as to reduce its paper consumption. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexuality and quality of life among young people

Associations between quality of life and attitudes toward, and experience of, sexual activities during adolescence were investigated in a sample of 240 Australian university students. Sexuality was explored using the Sexual Knowledge, Experience and Needs Scale (SexKen). Both objective and subjective quality of life were evaluated in seven domains using the Comprehensive Quality of Life Scale (ComQol). The findings demonstrated the importance of relationships and sexual experience to satisfaction with life. The results are discussed in terms of the significance of sexuality for general well-being during adolescence.