The Concept of Quality of Life and Its Factors

Within the 1960s first studies on the quality of life appeared both from a psychological or an environmental perspective. Later on, different studies done by geographers studying spatial differences on social indicators in 1970s. These studies were mainly focused on individual quality of life indicators like income, property, employment, an aspect of housing and therefore the quality of the environment in a place of residence.

In general, different theoretical quality of life frameworks has developed in several disciplines, such as economics, medicine and also social sciences. Each discipline developed a totally different view of how quality of life should be conceptualized and measured. According to Van Hecke et all., (2018) among them, four of the most influential models are:

• Cummins (2005) theory of subjective wellbeing homeostasis which examines the main area of involving objective-subjective dichotomy, needs and core domains that is currently under discussion. He proposed a conceptual model that distinguishes causal and indicator variables within the framework of a homeostatic management system.
• Felce and Perry’s quality of life model (1995, 1997) based on an agreement that quality of life is multidimensional composed of objective and subjective aspects. They also assert, the concept may be categorized in five core dimensions: physical well-being, material well-being, social well-being, emotional well-being, and development and activity.
• The World Health Organization’s quality of life model (1995).
• Schalock and Verdugo’s (2002) quality of life model which emphasizes on “contextual factors” and a “system perspective” relying on six factor areas including education, physical health care, mental and behavioral health, mental retardation and intellectual disabilities, aging and families.

As Van Kamp et al., (2003) describe, the concept of quality of life is a concept which deeply integrated within the brooding about health. Meanwhile, no uniform view on causes and effects is available on this subject.

Mitchell (2000) achieved to the point that no unified agreement exists yet on quality of life, in terminology nor in construction methods or the indicators which compose quality of life. His perspective on quality of life expressed as a combination of health, physical environment, natural resources, personal development and security (Mitchell et all. 2000). But based on Van Kamp et all.,  claim, the domain of economy is a missing part in his approach, while in others this is one of the three major pillars of quality.

In this regard, Kolenikov (1999) explains that quality of life characterized not only by external factors such as individual or social group, production technology, infrastructure, relations with other groups or countries, institutions of the society, natural environment but also by internal factors for instance; interaction within the society and values of a person or a society. These factors define the preferences in defining quality of life in a specific context.

Overall, main approaches to research on quality of life are usually based on a division of subjective and objective. While the main target point of subjective (or endogenous) approach is on feelings, perceptions, ideas and mental states of the people or groups studied, objective (or exogenous) approach main attempt is to study on the quality of life by focusing on a huge scope of measurable or observable indicators in a personal and an environmental dimension.

Also, many geographers perceive the complexity of the term and confirm that both approaches should be mixed and studied in all geographical level, not only from the global level of countries, but also through lower territorial units, cities and villages.

As a conclusion, quality of life is a multidimensional concept composed of objective and subjective aspects can be defined based on different indicators. Also, considering the literature not only external factors but also internal factors have an affective role in perception of what quality of life is. Also, it should be studied in all geographical level to bring more insights.