Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)
Scale Name
Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)
Author Details
Carol S. Burakhardt
Translation Availability
English

Background/Description
The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) is a widely recognized tool developed to assess an individual’s subjective well-being across various life domains. Initially conceptualized by John C. Flanagan in 1978, the scale aimed to evaluate satisfaction with life in relation to physical health, psychological well-being, social connections, and environmental factors. Over time, the QOLS has been revised and validated for specific populations, including individuals with chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia.
The QOLS comprises 16 items, each focusing on distinct aspects of life such as material well-being, relationships, personal development, leisure activities, and community engagement. Respondents rate their satisfaction on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better perceived quality of life.
This instrument is particularly valued for its applicability across diverse cultural and clinical settings, making it a go-to measure for healthcare providers, researchers, and psychologists aiming to understand and improve clients’ overall well-being.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy: Secure a copy of the QOLS from reputable sources or research publications.
- Explain the purpose: Communicate to participants that the QOLS evaluates various dimensions of their quality of life to guide interventions or research.
- Provide instructions: Clearly instruct respondents on how to rate their satisfaction for each item using the 7-point scale. Clarify any doubts to ensure accurate responses.
- Approximate time: Completing the scale typically requires 10–15 minutes.
- Administer the scale: Provide a comfortable and private environment for participants to fill out the questionnaire honestly and thoughtfully.
Reliability and Validity
- Reliability: The QOLS has shown strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging between 0.82 and 0.92 across various populations. Its test-retest reliability further supports its stability over time.
- Validity: The scale exhibits excellent construct validity, correlating well with related measures of life satisfaction and health-related quality of life. It has also been validated in chronic illness populations, affirming its relevance in clinical research and practice.
Available Versions
16-Items
Reference
- Burckhardt, C. S., Woods, S. L., Schultz, A. A., & Ziebarth, D. M. (1989). Quality of life of adults with chronic illness: A psychometric study. Research in Nursing and Health, 12(5), 347–354.
- Burckhardt, C. S., Clark, S. R., & Bennett, R. M. (1993). Fibromyalgia and quality of life: A comparative analysis. Journal of Rheumatology, 20(3), 475–479.
- Flanagan, J. C. (1978). A research approach to improving our quality of life. American Psychologist, 33(2), 138–147.
- Flanagan, J. C. (1982). Measurement of quality of life: Current state of the art. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 63(2), 56–59.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the purpose of the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)?
The QOLS assesses satisfaction across various life domains, including health, relationships, and personal development, to understand and improve quality of life.
Q2: Who can use the QOLS?
The QOLS is suitable for individuals from the general population and those with chronic illnesses or specific clinical conditions.
Q3: Is the QOLS culturally adaptable?
Yes, the QOLS has been adapted and validated in multiple languages and cultural contexts.
Q4: How is the QOLS scored?
The scores are summed across 16 items to provide an overall quality of life index, with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction.
Q5: Can the QOLS be used in research?
Yes, the QOLS is widely utilized in research studies to evaluate interventions and their impact on participants’ quality of life.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at [email protected]. We help others on behalf of you.