Consumer-Based Quality of Life Assessment: The Maryland Ask Me! Project

Abstract

The concept of quality of life currently impacts program development, service delivery, management strategies, and outcome evaluation in the area of intellectual disabilities. Maryland uses peer interviewers to assess consumer-perceived quality of life among adult recipients of MR/DD services and supports. In this article we describe the survey instrument and procedures and discuss assessment issues of quality of responses, acquiescence, and proxy respondents. We present the psychometric properties for eight core quality of life domains among 923 people assessed in FY 2001. Results are summarized and development of a model for enhancing social inclusion, personal development, and self-determination was described. Service and personal characteristics relating to quality of life as well as some ways the results can be used for program enhancement are discussed.

Quality of life assessment in intellectual disabilities: The Escala Pessoal de Resultados versus the World Health Quality of Life-BREF

“…This finding is consistent with previous studies that reported a better QOL in younger group, with other populations (Lucas-Carrasco et al, 2011;Trompenaars et al, 2005). Bonham et al (2004) observed that younger people with ID reported higher scores of personal development and interpersonal relations.…”

“…Scores were significantly higher (better QOL) in participants with mild ID, compared to the group of people with moderate ID. Higher levels of self-determination, rights, and material well-being were reported in people with higher intellectual or communication/speaking skills (Bonham et al, 2004). This is confirmed by Gardner and Carran (2005) that found better QOL in people with mild/moderate ID than participants with other levels of ID.…”

“…Lucas-Carrasco et al (2011) and Trompenaars et al (2005) confirm this result, observing only a higher score with females in the domain of social relations (WHOQOL-BREF). Bonham et al (2004) found higher values in rights reported by males with ID, and higher levels of material well-being in women with ID. These findings are not confirmed in the present study.…”

“…QOL is based on subjective measures, referring to personal expectations and subjective experiences (Bonham et al, 2004;Bramston et al, 2005;Brown et al, 2009;Claes et al, 2010;Cummins, 2005;Phillips, 2006;Schalock & Verdugo, 2002;Schalock et al, , 2007Schalock, 2004;Skevington et al, 2004;Van Loon et al, 2009;Ventegodt, Merrick, & Andersen, 2003;Verdugo et al, 2005;Wang et al, 2010;WHO Group, 1998a). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), QOL can be understood as the satisfaction, the perception, and interpretation by each individual assigned to the multiple facets of his/her own life (Skevington et al, 2004;WHO Group, 1998a).…”

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), QOL can be understood as the satisfaction, the perception, and interpretation by each individual assigned to the multiple facets of his/her own life (Skevington et al, 2004;WHO Group, 1998a). In addition to subjective components, QOL should also include objective measures, as both are necessary for a complete description of the person's life (Bonham et al, 2004;Brown et al, 2009;Claes et al, 2010;Cummins, 2005;Phillips, 2006;Schalock & Verdugo, 2002;Schalock et al, , 2007Schalock, 2004;Van Loon et al, 2009;Ventegodt et al, 2003;Verdugo et al, 2005;Wang et al, 2010).…”