Further Distinctions Among Major Subjective QOL Concepts

Abstract

This chapter describes a plethora of studies that have closely examined distinctions among subjective quality-of-life (QOL) concepts, such as those that were spelled out in the previous chapter. I will start out with the distinction between subjective and objective QOL; then I will move to the distinction between input and outcome indicators of QOL, followed by the distinction between inner and outer aspects of QOL. Then I will shift gears and describe studies that have focused on making a clear distinction between happiness and life satisfaction. Following this discussion, I will describe the concept of subjective well-being as an umbrella concept incorporating both affective and cognitive dimensions of QOL. Finally, I will describe studies that have distinguished between subjective well-being and eudaimonia and its variants.