How is Quality of Life Measured?

Lindsay Knake

| 3 min read

A person’s quality of life is a way to examine their overall physical and emotional well-being. While it isn’t easy to define in a simple number, taking time to consider our satisfaction with our daily lives, relationships, health and environment can allow us to practice gratitude for what we have and make changes in other areas.
Here is a look at the definition of quality of life and ways to assess your own.

What is quality of life?

There is not a single, universal definition of qualify of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines quality of life as “an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” WHO categorizes this in six domains:
  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Level of independence
  • Social relationships
  • Environment
  • Spirituality/religion/personal beliefs
These domains include a sense of safety and security, physical and mental health, wealth, education status, work environment, freedom and autonomy in decision-making. Self-determination is an important factor in determining qualify of life. This is the ability to have autonomy and make decisions about your needs, desires and interests without external pressure. Factors that can negatively affect self-determination include:
  • Poverty
  • Unemployment
  • Disability
  • Physical or mental illnesses that interfere with daily life
  • Lack of access to health care
Quality of life is different from standard of living, which is based on economic status and income.

How do I measure my own quality of life?

As quality of life is subjective, it requires you to consider the positive and negative factors in your own life that contribute to it. The WHO has a questionnaire you can take to measure your own quality of life.
Here are questions to ask yourself. You can rate your answers on a scale of one to five or answer them qualitatively:

Physical

  • Am I in good physical health?
  • Can I and do I get regular exercise?
  • Do I have access to healthy foods, and do I eat a healthy diet?
  • Do I get enough sleep?
  • Do I have enough money for monthly expenses and savings for emergencies?

Psychological

  • Do I feel optimistic about the future?
  • Am I able to live in the present and find gratitude in my daily life?
  • Do I feel emotionally equipped to manage stressors?
  • Am I satisfied with my mood and energy levels?
  • Do I have and take time for leisure activities?

Level of independence

  • Do I have the ability to make decisions about my work, my home and my relationships?
  • Is there anyone pressuring me to make certain life decisions?
  • Do I have the medical treatments and accessibility I need to do the things I want to do?

Social relationships

  • Do I have a few close and supportive relationships, or do I feel lonely?
  • Do I have good communication with my loved ones?
  • Do I have someone to talk to about challenges and struggles?
  • Am I generally content with my social life?

Environment

  • Am I safe in my own home and my community?
  • Do I feel satisfied with my living place?
  • Do I have access to transportation I need?
  • Is my work a physically and emotionally safe environment?

Spirituality/religion/personal beliefs

  • Does my life feel meaningful?
  • Do I have a religion or spiritual belief that matters to me?
  • Do I have access to resources to learn and grow in a way I want to?
By asking yourself these questions, you can determine how you feel about the quality of your own life. Note where you feel satisfied and where you feel something is missing. In the areas that are missing, think about what you can do, such as changing a habit to improve your diet or exercise routine, cultivate deeper relationships or talk to your doctor about your physical or mental health.
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