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The Quality of Life of Adults

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Handbook of Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research

Abstract

The chapter explores what aspects of quality of life distinguish adults 18–65 years from children, adolescents, and older people, in particular the impact of juggling work, leisure, and family and the generational “squeeze” between dependent generations below and above. While these shared aspects produce common conditions for quality of life, there are more factors that divide, than unite, this age group. Divergence of objective and subjective dimensions of adult quality of life are generated by, inter alia, differential sex, gender socialization, ethnicity, culture, economic and work conditions, and family structures. Divergence is also an issue in defining quality of life given the diversity of disciplines using the concept. However, what unites all disciplines addressing quality of life is the positive stance on life experiences as opposed to a traditional deficit model of the human condition. Furthermore, most disciplines acknowledge that objective measures of conditions of life may be at odds with subjective measures of satisfaction, well-being, and happiness. The chapter highlights the importance of disaggregating and analyzing all quality of life data in light of divergent biological, economic, and social conditions and critically questioning popularly held assumptions about the relationship between life stage and well-being.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia

    Elizabeth Eckermann

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  1. Elizabeth Eckermann
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Eckermann .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University, Hudson Hall 130, Durham, 27708, North Carolina, USA

    Kenneth C. Land

  2. , Faculty of Arts, Brandon University, 18th Street 270, Brandon, R7A 6A9, Manitoba, Canada

    Alex C. Michalos

  3. Pamlin College of Business, Dept. Marketing, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Pamplin Hall 2025, Blacksburg, 24061-0236, Virgin Islands, USA

    M. Joseph Sirgy

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Eckermann, E. (2012). The Quality of Life of Adults. In: Land, K., Michalos, A., Sirgy, M. (eds) Handbook of Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2421-1_17

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