Quality-of-life: “I did it my way”

Abstract

Quality-of-Life (QoL) as a multidimensional concept has been receiving more attention from a very small group of researchers including myself, especially within the South African context. Main topics for discussion is the deconstruction of QoL and include constructs such as satisfaction with life (SWL), psychological happiness (PH) as well as subjective well-being (SWB), which forms part of the larger science of positive psychology. My research goals were set based on my national and international research standing in testing shorter Likert scales, instead of longer international Likert scales with a direct focus on various South African cultures. These include, Goal 1: Testing Likert scales measuring QoL; Goal 2: Testing Likert scales measuring SWL; Goal 3: Testing Likert scales measuring PH; Goal 4: Testing Likert scales measuring Life Domains and Goal 5: Testing Likert scales measuring Quality of Work-life domains. I have found that QoL, SWL and PH are perceived differently by individuals whose mother tongue includes one of the eleven official languages in South Africa. It is time to develop South African measuring instruments in relation to QoL, SWL and PH, which should be understood by all citizens.