Quality of Life Questionnaire: Framework and 20 Key Questions

As experts in the field, we know that measuring and assessing an individual’s overall well-being can be tricky. But, fear not more as we’re here to introduce you to the ultimate tool for measuring the quality of life: the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOLQ).

The QOLQ is a validated and reliable questionnaire that measures an individual’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. It consists of a set of questions that cover various aspects of quality of life, such as physical health, emotional well-being, social support, and overall satisfaction with life. Let’s discuss it!

What is a Quality of Life Questionnaire?

Quality of life questionnaire consists of a set of survey questions that can be used to collect data related to an individual in particular and society in general on various parameters that determine their general quality of life, their natural environment, their health, their living condition, their community, and more.

Quality of life is fast becoming a standard measure of outcomes in many clinical trials and clinical practices. There are many factors that are associated while measuring the quality of life, like physical health, physiological well-being, social relationships, functional roles and subjective sense of lifestyle satisfaction.

To collect the data that actually talks about the detailed analysis of an individual, quality of life questionnaire is essential. The primary objective to develop this questionnaire is that it should be easy to use, should reflect consumer values and goals, and collect appropriate data.

Quality of Life Questionnaire Framework

Quality of Life Questionnaire is a comprehensive questionnaire that covers various attributes of an individuals life. It covers a variety of demographic questions to get better quality data and information before analyzing the quality of life of an individual. The domains that should be covered while creating a quality of life questionnaire are as follows:

1. Overall Level of Satisfaction: This level of satisfaction can be about multiple aspects like satisfaction with the living environment, the quality of food, the overall level of hygiene, clothes to wear and mental health. The questionnaire should consist of question that will ask the respondent about their overall level of satisfaction with the living conditions.

2. Occupation: The questions focus on the time an individual spends to earn his/her living. About the workplace and if an individual is satisfied or not with it. This question is important as an average American spends 56 hours at his/her workplace. Considering the amount of time spent at work, it is an important segment.

3. Mental Health: Among other things, mental well-being or mental health-related questions need to be an integral part of the quality of life questionnaire. Emotional well-being is an aspect that is not talked about often as it should be. Evaluating mental health is important.

4. Physical Health: Physical health is another important attribute that needs to be included in the quality of life questionnaire. If physical health is compromised most of the tasks even the routine ones cannot be carried out.

5. Financial stability: This section focused on the economic development and aspect of an individual. The questions in this section should be able to extract information about how much control individual exercises on his/her financial resources. The questions should also be directed to ask what would an individual do if faced with the lack of financial resources.

6. Alcohol and Drugs: In this sections questions pertaining to individuals habits should be asked. Alcohol and drug abuse is a common issue in the U.S. 9.4% of the total population use or have used an illicit drug. This section must cover questions that ask respondents about these abuses.

Learn more: Quality of Life Survey Questions + Sample Questionnaire Template

20 Key Questions for the Quality of Life Questionnaire

Quality of life questionnaire must consist of questions that helps a researcher collected an optimum amount of information from the respondent(s) based on the above-mentioned framework. This questionnaire should be designed to cover all the essential segments with clarity. Following are the 30 Key questions you will need in your quality of life questionnaire:

Demographic Questions

1. Please select your gender

• Male

• Female

2. What is your highest education level completed?

• No schooling completed

• Some high school or diploma

• High school graduate

• Professional/Vocational/Technical Training

• Bachelor’s degree

• Master’s degree

• Doctorate degree

3. What is your marital status?

• Single/Never married

• In a committed relationship

• Married

• Separated

• Divorced

• Spouse deceased

4. What is your ethnicity?

• American Indian/ Native American

• Asian

• African American or Black

• Hispanic/Latino

• White

• Others

5. Please select your employment type

• Student

• Homemaker

• Unemployed

• Veteran

• Salaried

• Business Owner

• Others

Quality of Life Questions

6. During the past 6 months, you have lived: (select all that is applicable)

• Alone

• Parents

• Friends/Roommates

• Children

• Partner

• Others

7. Please select your housing type

• Apartment

• Terraced

• Duplex

• Log Cabin

• Cottage

• Bungalow

• Mansion

• Homeless

8. Please select the most appropriate answer options

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

I am happy with the house I live in

I am satisfied with the hygiene around the house  

My neighbors are good

I am satisfied with the food that I eat

I am happy with the clothes I wear

I have a decent paying job

I hang out with my friends quite often

I am satisfied with my personal safety

I pursue at least one hobby

I have a healthy relationship with my parents

9. How important are the following aspects of your life?

Not at all Important

Slightly Important

Moderately Important

Very Important

Extremely Important

Having a good house to stay in

The way I spend my time on a regular basis

I need good food to eat

I need to mentally healthy

I need a good means of transportation

A healthy sex life

10. Which of the following would be your regular activity? Select all that is applicable

• Paid employment

• School/ University

• Volunteer work

• Unpaid Internship

• Others

11. Please select Yes or No for each of the following questions.

Yes

No

I am happy about achieving something good in the last 4 weeks.

I feel left out and odd with people around me

I am bored very easily

Lack of concentration in the last 4 weeks

Extremely restless and jumpy

Have put on a lot of weight in the last 6 months

Happy because I received compliments from family and friends

Depressed and unhappy

Particularly excited about something

12. How would you rate your mental health over the past 4 weeks?

• Poor

• Fair

• Good

• Very Good

• Excellent

13. How would you rate your physical health over the past 4 weeks?

• Poor

• Fair

• Good

• Very Good

• Excellent

14. Have you ever been for psychiatric consultation?

• Never

• Sometimes

• Quite often

• Always

15. How often do you consume alcohol?

• Never

• Sometimes

• Quite often

• Always

16. Do you use drugs or any other substance?

• Yes

• No

17. How often do you consume drugs?

• Never

• Only casually

• Sometimes

• Quite often

• Always

18. How often does lack of money keep you from doing the things you wish to do?

• Never

• Sometimes

• Quite often

• Always

19. Please select all the activities you have done in the past 4 weeks

• Gone to a restaurant with family or friends

• Gone for a long drive alone or with friends

• Cleaned my room/apartment/house

• Gone shopping

• Made a meal for self

• Done my laundry

20. How important are the following factors in determining your quality of life?

Not at all important

Slightly important

Moderately important

Very Important

Extremely important

Work/school

How you feel about yourself

Your physical state of being

Your mental state of being

Your family/ friends

Your bank balance

One thing that sets the QOLQ apart from other quality-of-life measures is its flexibility. It can be used with many populations, including people with chronic health conditions, individuals with disabilities, and healthy individuals. It can also be used in both clinical and research settings.

But here’s the best part: the QOLQ is easy to administer and score. It can be completed in just a few minutes, and the results can be analyzed quickly and easily. This allows researchers and practitioners to identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement and make informed decisions about how to support and improve an individual’s overall well-being.

So, whether you’re a researcher, a clinician, or just someone looking to assess your own quality of life, the QOLQ is the perfect tool for you. It’s a simple, efficient, and effective way to measure and improve overall well-being. So, why wait? Start using the QOLQ today and take the first step towards a happier, healthier you!

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