Used data on 1,298 married persons to examine effect of change in health over 3-year period on marital quality. Analysis suggests that decrements in health have adverse influence on marital quality. Changes in financial circumstances, shifts in division of household labor, declines in marital activities, and problematic behavior of afflicted…

Examines panel data from the National Survey of Black Americans for 623 adults with regard to predictors of African-American quality of life between 1980 and 1992. Objective measures indicate that the situation for African Americans has declined or stagnated during this period, but subjective measures provide an unclear picture of African-American…

Describes the elements of a program in hospice and palliative medicine that may serve as a model of an effective system of physician education. Topics for the palliative-care curriculum include hospice medicine, breaking bad news, pain management, the process of dying, and managing personal stress. (JOW)

Urges rehabilitation professionals to identify, through scientific studies, the factors that contribute to their client's quality of life on the basis of the client's assumptions, perceptions, goals, and values. Both culturally relevant theoretical foundations and measurement-methodology issues are addressed. (DB)

The Consumer-Directed Theory of Empowerment (CDTE) is presented as a model for guiding the development and evaluation of disability policy and rehabilitation services. The major tenet of CDTE is that increased consumer direction in disability policy formulation and rehabilitation service delivery will lead to increased community integration,…

Studied the quality of life of African Americans from a family perspective through a survey of 203 African American adult church goers. Also discusses the technique of distributing questionnaires at church. Men in this sample perceived a higher quality of life than did women, and men in this sample were more likely to be employed and married and…

Argues that full employment must be acceptable on both social and economic grounds. Examines profound changes in industrialized economies since the 1970s and the diversity of employment contracts. Suggests that difficult policy decisions surround full employment. (SK)

Examines the Phipps Houses Group, a nonprofit housing developer, in its attempt to foster a sense of community and family well-being in housing developments. Discusses the community development program and gives a profile of tenants. Suggests that this model should become more common as direct federal housing development diminishes. (RJM)

Seeks counselors' views of using the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIGoL) to investigate the feasibility of the tool. Data reveal that the SEIQoL provided users with a graphic, visual and dynamic means to identify important areas that contributed to their quality of life and it appeared to enhance the reflective…

A study of 32 women in their later career stages (ages 60-69) elicited their views on life purpose and fulfillment. Themes included the following: quality of life and quality of health, increased loss, coping with death, feelings of invisibility, the importance of relationships, the need to impart wisdom, and the importance of having a purpose and…

Discusses how a strength and conditioning program can be safety incorporated into the daily life of people with cystic fibrosis as a complementary therapy to medications, regular checkups, bronchial drainage, and respiratory therapy, examining physical restrictions and guidelines, exercise prescriptions, and exercise applications, and explaining…

This article contrasts the drab reality of life for most adults with mental retardation with the film adventures of Forrest Gump and other film depictions of individuals with mental retardation. Advocates are urged to remember that positive stereotyping can also be harmful when it results in distorted views about today's possibilities for such…

The introduction to a special issue on happiness and people with mental retardation identifies seven verities about supports for happiness such as: many external factors do not correlate well with happiness; there are significant internal or personal factors that do relate to happiness; and there is a need for studies on happiness in people with…

Review of the literature on happiness, or felicitude, in people with physical disabilities considers data showing that levels of happiness may be high despite severe levels of impairment. It concludes that for both physical and intellectual disabilities, the task is to overcome stereotypes and measure health-related quality of life in meaningful,…

Sets forth a vision for evaluation in the future that is disciplined in the sense of being planned, systematic, and funded in ways that adhere to professional standards, principles, and codes, resulting in the improvement of services, products, performances, and quality of life. In the ideal future, disciplined evaluation will become a pervasive…