Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Concept of ‘Quality of Life’ in the Context of Economic Performance and Social Progress

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Welfare State at Risk

Abstract

More and more it is accepted that economic growth measured as GDP will not automatically lead to greater satisfaction in people’s lives. Even the Human Development Report which provides a comparative view of life expectancy, schooling and income in different countries, is not comprehensive enough to describe welfare, well-being and quality of life. To design better strategies for fighting social exclusion and dissatisfaction among people we need better empirical data on objective structures and development as well as on their subjective perceptions. However, the broad concepts of welfare, well-being and quality of life do not enjoy common acceptance within the academic community. Nevertheless, there is progress concerning more appropriate measures for receiving enough information for the public and the politicians to improve the overall situation concerning the quality of life.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/ihdi/

  2. 2.

    www.happyplanetindex.org/data/

References

  • Campbell, A., Converse, P. E., & Rodgers, W. L. (1976). The quality of American life: Perceptions, evaluations, and satisfactions. New York: Russell Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compendium of OECD Well-Being Indicators (2011). OECD Better Life Initiative http://eur-lex.europa.eu/Notice.do?checktexts=checkbox&val=499855

  • Constanza, R., Maureen, H., Posner, S., & Talberth, J. (2009). Beyond GDP: The need for new measures of progress, Boston University, The Pardee Papers, No. 4

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, R. (2000). Objective and subjective quality of life: An interactive model. Social Indicators Research, 52(1), 55–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Czapiński, J. (2012). Ekonomia szczęścia i psychologia bogactwa. Nauka, 1, 51–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daly, H. E., & Cobb, J. J. (1989). For the common good: Redirecting the economy toward community, the environment and a sustainable future. Boston: Beacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dean, H. (2010). Understanding human need. Bristol: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2002). Will money increase subjective wellbeing? A literature review and guide to need research. Social Indicators Research, 57, 119–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Emmons, R. A. (1984). The independence of positive and negative affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47, 1105–1117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Suh, E. (1997). Measuring quality of life: Economic social and subjective indicators. Social Indicators Research, 40, 189–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dolan, P., & Metcalfe, R. (2012). Measuring subjective wellbeing: Recommendations on measures for use by national governments. Journal of Social Policy, 41(2), 409–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doyal, L., & Gough, I. (1991). A theory of human need. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drewnowski, J. (1970). Measuring social variables in real terms. Studies in the measurement of levels of living and welfare, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, Report No 70.3, Geneva 1970, pp. 1–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Easterlin, R. A. (1974). Does economic growth improve the human lot? In P. A. David, & M. W. Reder. (Eds). Nations and households in economic growth: Essays in honour of Moses Abramovitz, New York: Academic http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/16/business/Easterlin1974.pdf.

  • Edwards, C., & Imrie, R. (2008). Disability and the implications of the wellbeing agenda: Some reflections from the United Kingdom. Journal of Social Policy, 37(03), 337–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eid, M., & Diener, E. (2003). Global judgements of subjective well-being: Situational variability and long-term stability. Social Indicators Research, 65, 245–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eurofound (2012). Third European quality of life survey – Quality of life in Europe: Impacts of the crisis, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, (authors Anderson, R. et al.).

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2011). Well-being, aggregate report, Conducted by TNS Qual+at the request of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, ‘Research and Speechwriting’ Unit, September.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat (2012). On-line database. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/GDP_per_capita,_consumption_per_capita_and_price_level_indices#Main_statistical_findings

  • Felce, D., & Perry, J. (1995). Quality of life: Its definition and measurement. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 16(1), 51–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferriss, A. (2006). History of QOL studies from a sociological perspective. Social Indicators Research, 76(53), 163–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitoussi, J. P., & Rosanvallon, P. (2000). Czas nowych nierówności. Wydawnictwo Znak: Kraków.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2012). The use of happiness research for public policy, Social Choice and Welfare, Published online 17 Dec 2011. www.bsfrey.ch/articles/C_534_12.pdf

  • Garbat, M., & Paszkowicz, M. A. (1984). Jakość życia osób niepełnosprawnych w województwie lubuskim – diagnoza sytuacji materialno-bytowej. In Z. Palak (Ed.), Jakość życia oso´b niepełnosprawnych i nieprzystosowanych społecznie. Lublin: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, C. & Fitzpatrick, M. (2002). Does happiness pay? An exploration based on panel data from Russia, The Brookings Institution, Center on Social and Economic Dynamics, WP No. 24 (May) http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/2002/5/poverty%20graham/pay.pdf

  • Harker, L. A., & Keltner, D. (2001). Expressions of positive emotion in women’s college yearbook pictures and their relationship to personality and life outcomes across adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 112–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartwick, J. M. (1990). Natural resources, national accounting and economic depreciation. Journal of public Economics, 43(3), 291–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HDR (2013). Available at http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2013

  • Inglehart, R. (1990). Culture shift in advanced industrial society. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inkeles, A. (1994). Industrialisation, modernisation and the quality of life. In W. V. D’Antonio et al. (Eds.), Ecology, quality of social life. New Brunswick/London: Transaction Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jabkowski, P. (2008). Teoretyczne i metodologiczne aspekty programu badawczego wskaźników jakości życia mieszkańców Poznania. In R. Derbis (Ed.), Jakość z˙ycia. Od wykluczonych do elity. Częstochowa: Wydawnictwo Akademii im. Jana Długosza.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, B. (2008). Welfare and wellbeing: Social value in public policy. Bristol: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuznets, S. (1934). National Income, 1929–1932. Senate Document No. 124, 73rd Congress, 2nd Session. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Kunkel, S. R., & Kasl, S. V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83, 261–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, R. E., Clar, A. E., Georgelli, Y., & Diener, E. (2003). Reexamining adaptation and the set point model of happiness: Reactions to changes in marital status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 527–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marks, G. N., & Fleming, N. (1999). Influences and consequences of wellbeing among Australian young people: 1980–1995. Social Indicators Research, 46, 301–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCall, S. (1975). Quality of life. Social Indicators Research, 2(2), 229–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nafziger, E. W. (2006). Economic development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noll, H.-H. (2004). Social indicators and quality of life research: Background, achievements and current trends. (w) N. Genov (Ed.), Advances in sociological knowledge over half a century (pp. 151–181). Wiesbaden: VS Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nussbaum, M. C. (2000). Women and human development: The capabilities approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rapley, M. (2003). Quality of life research: A critical introduction. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, B. W., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2003). Work experiences and personality development in young adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 582–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R., & Sapp, A. (2007). Basic psychological needs: A self-determination theory perspective n the promotion of wellness across development and cultures. In I. Gough & A. McGregor (Eds.), Wellbeing in developing countries: From theory to research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheuch, K. E. (1994). The puzzle of “quality of life”. In W. V. D’Antonio, M. Sasaki, & Y. Yonebayashi (Eds.), Ecology, society and the quality of social life. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. New York: Anchor Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. (2000). Nierówności. Dalsze rozważania. (Inequality reexamined 1992), Wydawnictwo Znak. Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego, Kraków.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirgy, M. J., Michalos, A. C., Ferris, A. L., Easterlin, R. A., Patrick, D., & Pavot, W. (2006). The quality of life (QOL) research movement: Past, present and future. Social Indicators Research, 76(53), 343–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stiglitz, J. E., Sen, A. & Fitoussi, J. P. (2009). Report by the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. Paris: Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szarfenberg, R. (2011). Rozwój społeczny, czyli detronizacja PKB. In Nowy Obywatel nr 2/2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Talberth, J., Clifford C., & Noah, S. (2007). The genuine progress indicator 2006: A tool for sustainable development. (http://www.rprogress.org/publications/2007/GPI%202006.pdf)

  • Taylor, D. (2011). Wellbeing and welfare: A psychosocial analysis of being well and doing well enough. Journal of Social Policy, 40(40), 777–794.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNDP Rapport LHDI – Podsumowanie (2013). Poland. Available at http://issuu.com/undp_poland/docs/undp_krajowy_raport_o_rozwoju_spo_ecznym_polska

  • Veenhoven, R. (2000). The four qualities of life ordering concepts and measures of the good life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1, 1–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHOQOL Group (1995). Measuring quality of life. www.social-sciencegesis.de/en/ social_monitoring/social_indicators/EU_Reporting/index.htm

  • Wood, G., & Newton, J. (2005). From welfare to wellbeing regimes: Engaging new agendas, paper presented to the ‘New Frontiers of Social Policy’ Conference, Arusha, 12–15 Dec 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Happiness Report (2012). Available at http://www.earth.columbia.edu/sitefiles/file/Sachs%20Writing/2012/World%20Happiness%20Report.pdf

  • Woźniak, M. G. (2004). Nierówności Społeczne a Wzrost Gospodarczy. Wyznaczniki prowzrostowej strategii ograniczającej nierówności społeczne wynikające z teorii wzrostu (The determinants of pro-growth strategy that narrow social inequality which is the result of the theory of growth), nr 4, 77–87.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland

    Ewa Rokicka

Authors
  1. Ewa Rokicka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ewa Rokicka .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. FB 03, Universität Gießen Institut für Politikwissenschaft, Gießen, Germany

    Dieter Eißel

  2. University of Lodz Institute of Sociology, Lodz, Poland

    Ewa Rokicka

  3. and IR, Loughborough University Department of Politics, History, Loughborough, United Kingdom

    Jeremy Leaman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rokicka, E. (2014). The Concept of ‘Quality of Life’ in the Context of Economic Performance and Social Progress. In: Eißel, D., Rokicka, E., Leaman, J. (eds) Welfare State at Risk. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01481-4_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation