This Technical Committee Report begins by citing function as the key factor in the committee's view of quality of life and by examining four elements upon which function depends, i.e., satisfaction of basic physical needs, choice, freedom from undue stress, and the lack of a direct correlation between affluence and quality of life. Key issues and…

In their attempts to further the adoption of productivity increasing ideas and practices by third world peasants, diffusion researchers have paid insufficient attention to the factors acting as constraints to their efforts. An examination of one of these constraints, the lack of an equitable system for delivering knowledge and skills to rural…

Recent reports indicate that a significant number of college-age women suffer from bulimarexia. To investigate the success of experiential-insight, behaviorally-oriented therapy groups in helping college students cope with eating disorders, 26 students (25 females, 1 male) participated in 1 to 10 weekly therapy sessions. The groups, which were…

Since objective data on the effectiveness of self-help groups are not available, participants' views of a program's value are instructive. A study was undertaken to contrast participants' (N=232) evaluations of their self-help meetings with independent observers' (N=11) evaluations and to describe the components of their respective views in terms…

Research in 37 neighborhoods in Flint, Michigan, investigated the association between the extent of racial integration in a neighborhood and residents' satisfaction with, awareness of, and attitudes toward various aspects of neighborhood and community life. The influence of demographic factors was also examined. The degree of neighborhood…

Following several "quality of life" models and a model of schooling, researchers developed a "quality of school life" model with four dimensions, including general satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and domains specific to education. The domains relate to students' personal experiences regarding particular school…

In order to appraise the quality of life (Q.O.L.) in American cities, the fifty largest American cities were examined according to twenty-six socioeconomic variables. These variables were arranged under seven headings: housing, crime, education, health, social disorganization, economic status, and amenities. The results of this study, when…

Perceptions of 160 institutionalized and 207 noninstitutionalized old people (mean age = 76.6 yrs.) were examined with respect to the quality of their family relations. Responses to six survey items measuring satisfaction with various aspects of family relations were cross-tabulated with gender, marital status, health status, age, and living…

The curious association between romance and adverse circumstances is based on an extension of emotional attribution theory, which postulates that romantic notions are evoked when nonspecific physiological arousal is attributed to another person or to an interpersonal relationship. Data from a survey on stressful life events was examined to…

Since the late 1970s Americans have adopted a more pessimistic outlook of the future than at any time since World War II. Reasons for this include inflation, unemployment, a low rate of productivity, the flow of U.S. funds to OPEC nations, an unfavorable balance of trade, and the unstable international environment. In view of these factors, some…

Many previous studies have found that daily life events influence community residents' perceived quality of life, which refers to the relative goodness of life as evaluated subjectively. A subsample population of 539 older residents, aged 55 and over, were interviewed in their homes. A 60-item scale was devised to measure the effects of…

The author explores nonformal education and its impact on women, specifically the questions, "What have they learned?" and "How has it improved their condition?" Findings are that most women have learned conventional skills and knowledge related to their maternal and domestic roles. Thus, it has not changed their condition. (CH)

This paper discusses a model that guides women in practicing key attitudes and behaviors that will help them to succeed in our new economy. It focuses on today's critical workplace competencies while encouraging a rich and textured personal life. It responds to four challenges that women need to pay attention to: acknowledging and capitalizing on…

America's era of expansion is over. The limitless frontier which served as a safety valve for our social tensions is gone and we now must find new national goals. To do this we need a new kind of thinking, not abstract intellectualization but commitment to human service. (SJL)

Argues that the U.S. has run up huge budget deficits by importing more than it exports and by financing government overspending with overseas borrowing. Maintains that deficits threaten the well-being of future generations and that tax increases are inevitable. Includes tables showing Gross National Product and government spending data. (MW)