Studies of quality of life in the general population

Abstract

This article reviews general population studies of quality of life (QOL) in order to provide comparative and normative information against which findings from the more prevalent, but less representative studies of mental illness and mental health can be judged. Electronic, hand and snowball searches generated 1013 publications. The best quality studies of general populations made only a limited contribution to the overall evidence base. Nine of the 24 single sample publications reporting general population data were of a similar and sufficiently high standard to be included in this review. All nine studies were observational and only three reported longitudinal data. The findings of these papers are reviewed and the following conclusions drawn: large proportions of the population are satisfied with their lives in 'general' terms and in domain specific terms; ratings of life quality are frequently highest in family and lowest in finances; personal characteristics and objective circumstances are not a major influence on subjective evaluations of 'general' QOL; domain satisfactions are the best predictors of 'general' life quality; 'general' QOL is more associated with material, social and family concerns than health; depression is related to evaluations of 'general' but not necessarily domain specific QOL; subjective measures of life quality are stable but are also responsive to changes that occur; domain specific indicators are more sensitive than 'general' measures, to objective circumstances, events and changes over time; domain indicators may mediate the relationship between objective events and 'general' QOL; and 'domain importance' is not a major influence in evaluations of subjective QOL.