A comparison of quality of and satisfaction with life between people with an intellectual disability and those without

This thesis is made up of a literature review and two research reports. The review examines the development of measures of quality of life over the last three decades, particularly the development of subjective measures. The concept of satisfaction with life is explored, as is the evidence of its consistently high rating and stability. Methodological difficulties in assessing subjective factors in people with intellectual disabilities are taken into account in the consideration of whether satisfaction is an appropriate concept to use when assessing quality of life for people with intellectual disability. Research report (1) describes a study comparing 31 people with and intellectual disability and 31 matched controls, using the quality of life questionnaire (ComQol). The questionnaire has three scales covering objective and subjective data for seven life domains. Extra questions were added to assess the quality of primary care services. The aims were to investigate the relationship between objective and subjective measures of quality of life, and between the two groups of people. Research report (2) explored how closely carers were able to estimate the quality of life of people they cared for. Sixteen carers were interviewed using ComQol, and their responses compared with those of 16 people with intellectual disability.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

d_cp

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

d_cp

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Birmingham

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Hensel, Elizabeth

• BF Psychology