The present study based on World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale to examine quality of life of the caregivers caring for their children/adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan, and the factors contributing to their quality of life. Structured interviews were conducted with 597 caregivers of children/adolescents…

Background: The literature places special focus on the quality of life (QoL) of individuals with disability and on their self-determination and social and work participation. The field of vocational guidance also considers the satisfaction these individuals experience concerning their future crucial to their QoL. At the same time, however, persons…

Studies involving the importance of internal locus of control on the rehabilitation process of any illness or disability tend to have numerous methodological problems. The subject groups selected and the indexes of outcome, as well as the manipulation of treatment, structures cause limited generalizability. Different studies contradict each other…

Validated a simple self-rating scale of depth of meaning in one's life by comparing responses to the scale and preference for certain literary passages that reflected varying degrees of depth of life meaning. Upon replication, the measures were again found to be significantly related. (BH)

Two main goals in the care of the terminally ill are to optimize the quality of their remaining life and to alleviate the distress of their survivors. Pain control research has contributed significantly to meeting those goals, but continued progress is needed in both basic studies and expanded applications of new techniques. (Author/NB)

The author reviews quality of life arguments proposed in Baby Doe cases involving severely handicapped infants and views quality of life in terms of six dimensions: educability, relationships, residence, access, technology, and medical considerations. (CL)

Illustrates incremental item banking using health-related quality of life data collected from two samples of patients receiving cancer treatment (n=1,755 and n=1,544). Results support findings from previous studies that have equated separate instruments by co-calibrating their items. (SLD)

Few quality of life instruments exist that focus on the positive aspects of adolescence, incorporate adolescents' perspectives and language, and apply to both general and vulnerable populations. With these goals in mind, a conceptual and measurement model was developed to guide construction of the Youth Quality of Life Instrument-Research Version.…

Investigated the effect of aerobic exercise on physiological and psychological function in people rehabilitating from cancer treatment. Data on people participating in control, moderate-intensity exercise, and low-intensity exercise groups indicated that both exercise programs were equally effective in improving physiological function,…

Investigated quality of life for 110 individuals with severe mental illness participating in two supported employment programs in Maryland. Significant differences were noted for individuals in supported employment compared to those not working, as well as several other significant gains after job placement. (Author/NB)

Focuses on the concept of "interplay"--interlinking and interdependence of the human and nonhuman worlds. Discusses (following Murray Bookchin's terms) the transactional quality of first and second nature, and the contexts of obedience and control that often impact their coexistence. Uses an excerpt from Gloria Anzaldua's fiction to fuel…

Background: This paper describes the evaluation of a group program designed specifically to meet the anger management needs of a group of individuals with various levels of intellectual disability and/or complex communication needs. Method: Twenty-nine individuals were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a waiting-list comparison group.…

Positive psychology is becoming established as a reputable sub-discipline in psychology despite having neglected the role of positive reinforcement in enhancing quality of life. The authors discuss the relevance of positive reinforcement for positive psychology, with implications for broadening the content of organizational behavior management.…

Background: The Special Interest Quality of Life Group has updated its set of statements defining the quality of life (QOL) construct to reflect emerging areas of agreement and the framework for understanding better the QOL construct. Method: This article examines the major areas currently under discussion involving the objective?subjective…