Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 2000. / Running title: Measurement of quality-of-life in heart failure. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Physical Education, Health, and Sport Studies, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-56).

Poucos estudos têm avaliado a estrutura dimensional do Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Análise sobre a dimensionalidade e a adequação do OHIP-14 pode ajudar a melhorar a interpretação deste instrumento. Os objetivos desta tese foram avaliar a dimensionalidade e testar um modelo conceitual de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal utilizando a escala OHIP-14. A tese foi organizada em 3 manuscritos. O primeiro manuscrito "Comparison of two assessment instruments of the quality of life in older adults" teve como objetivo investigar se existe convergência entre as dimensões da versão abreviada do questionário da Organização Mundial da Saúde sobre Qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-Bref) e do questionário Perfil do Impacto de Saúde Bucal-14 (OHIP-14). Neste estudo, foram avaliados 872 idosos do sul do Brasil. As dimensões dos questionários WHOQOL-Bref e OHIP-14 foram correlacionas por afinidade. Todas as correlações analisadas apresentaram baixa magnitude. Apesar dos questionários WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 apresentarem dimensões relacionadas, eles medem as relações físicas, sociais e psicológicas de maneira diferente. O segundo manuscrito "Oral Health Impact Profile-14: a Unidimensional Scale?" teve como objetivo investigar a estrutura dimensional do OHIP-14. As amostras foram provenientes de dois estudos realizados no Brasil, um no Rio de Janeiro (N=504) e o outro em Carlos Barbosa (N=872). Análises Fatoriais Confirmatória e Exploratória foram realizadas para identificar as dimensões do OHIP-14. As análises fatoriais confirmaram um fator para ambos os estudos. Nossos resultados sugerem que o OHIP-14 é uma escala unidimensional. O terceiro manuscrito "Testing the applicability of a conceptual model of oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older people" teve como objetivo testar o modelo conceitual de Wilson e Cleary em relação à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal. Uma amostra aleatória de 578 idosos do sul do Brasil foi avaliada.O modelo conceitual de Wilson e Cleary foi testado usando a modelagem de equações estruturais, incluindo: edentulismo, sintomas, estado funcional, percepção de saúde bucal, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal e variáveis sociodemográficas. No modelo final, o edentulismo foi correlacionado com a insatisfação da aparência dos dentes (r = -0,25). O pior estado funcional foi correlacionado com pior percepção de saúde bucal (r = 0,24). A idade teve um efeito direto no OHIP-14 (r = -0,15). Houve um efeito indireto do sexo no OHIP-14 através do estado funcional (r = 0,12).Os resultados apresentados mostram que, para idosos brasileiros, variáveis como sexo e idade desempenham um papel importante para o entendimento conceitual de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal. Nossos resultados sugerem que o OHIP-14 não avalia o impacto das condições bucais na qualidade de vida numa perspectiva multidimensional, mas em uma única dimensão. A presente tese demonstrou que há caminhos diretos e mediados entre as variáveis clínicas e não clínicas em relação à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal. / A few studies have evaluated the dimensional structure of Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Further analysis on the dimensionality and the adequacy of OHIP-14 can help improve the interpretation of this instrument. The objectives of this thesis were to assess the dimensionality and testing a conceptual model of oral health-related quality of life using the OHIP-14 scale. The thesis was organized in three manuscripts. The first manuscript "Comparison of two assessment instruments of the quality of life in older adults" aimed to investigate if there is convergent validity between the dimensions of World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief Version (WHOQOL-Bref) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaires. In this study, 872 elderly Southern-Brazilians were evaluated. The dimensions of WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 questionnaires were correlated by affinity. All correlations analyzed had a low magnitude. Despite the fact that WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 instruments have related dimensions, they measure physical, psychological and social relations differently. The second manuscript "Oral Health Impact Profile-14: a Unidimensional Scale?" aimed to investigate the dimensional structure of the OHIP-14. Subjects were from Rio de Janeiro (N=504) and Carlos Barbosa (N=872) Studies in Brazil. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed to identify the dimensions of OHIP-14. The factor analysis confirmed one factor in both studies. Our findings suggest that the OHIP-14 is a unidimensional scale. The third manuscript "Testing the applicability of a conceptual model of oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older people" aimed to test Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model in relation to oral health-related quality of life. A random sample of 578 elderly Southern-Brazilians was evaluated. Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model was tested using structural equations modeling including: edentulism, symptom status, functional health, oral health perceptions, oral health-related quality of life, and sociodemographic variables. In the final model, edentulism was negatively correlated to dissatisfaction of appearance of their dental prostheses (r= -0.25). The worse functional status was correlated with poor oral health perception (r= 0.24). Age had a direct effect on OHIP-14 (r= -0.15). There was an indirect effect of sex on OHIP-14 via functional status (r= 0.12). The results showed that for elderly Brazilians variables such as sex and age are important in the conceptual understanding of oral health-related quality of life. Our findings suggest that the OHIP-14 may not evaluate the oral impact on quality of life on a multidimensional perspective, but in a single dimension. The present thesis demonstrates that there are direct and mediated pathways between clinical and nonclinical variables in relation to oral health-related quality of life.

Poucos estudos têm avaliado a estrutura dimensional do Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Análise sobre a dimensionalidade e a adequação do OHIP-14 pode ajudar a melhorar a interpretação deste instrumento. Os objetivos desta tese foram avaliar a dimensionalidade e testar um modelo conceitual de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal utilizando a escala OHIP-14. A tese foi organizada em 3 manuscritos. O primeiro manuscrito "Comparison of two assessment instruments of the quality of life in older adults" teve como objetivo investigar se existe convergência entre as dimensões da versão abreviada do questionário da Organização Mundial da Saúde sobre Qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-Bref) e do questionário Perfil do Impacto de Saúde Bucal-14 (OHIP-14). Neste estudo, foram avaliados 872 idosos do sul do Brasil. As dimensões dos questionários WHOQOL-Bref e OHIP-14 foram correlacionas por afinidade. Todas as correlações analisadas apresentaram baixa magnitude. Apesar dos questionários WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 apresentarem dimensões relacionadas, eles medem as relações físicas, sociais e psicológicas de maneira diferente. O segundo manuscrito "Oral Health Impact Profile-14: a Unidimensional Scale?" teve como objetivo investigar a estrutura dimensional do OHIP-14. As amostras foram provenientes de dois estudos realizados no Brasil, um no Rio de Janeiro (N=504) e o outro em Carlos Barbosa (N=872). Análises Fatoriais Confirmatória e Exploratória foram realizadas para identificar as dimensões do OHIP-14. As análises fatoriais confirmaram um fator para ambos os estudos. Nossos resultados sugerem que o OHIP-14 é uma escala unidimensional. O terceiro manuscrito "Testing the applicability of a conceptual model of oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older people" teve como objetivo testar o modelo conceitual de Wilson e Cleary em relação à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal. Uma amostra aleatória de 578 idosos do sul do Brasil foi avaliada.O modelo conceitual de Wilson e Cleary foi testado usando a modelagem de equações estruturais, incluindo: edentulismo, sintomas, estado funcional, percepção de saúde bucal, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal e variáveis sociodemográficas. No modelo final, o edentulismo foi correlacionado com a insatisfação da aparência dos dentes (r = -0,25). O pior estado funcional foi correlacionado com pior percepção de saúde bucal (r = 0,24). A idade teve um efeito direto no OHIP-14 (r = -0,15). Houve um efeito indireto do sexo no OHIP-14 através do estado funcional (r = 0,12).Os resultados apresentados mostram que, para idosos brasileiros, variáveis como sexo e idade desempenham um papel importante para o entendimento conceitual de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal. Nossos resultados sugerem que o OHIP-14 não avalia o impacto das condições bucais na qualidade de vida numa perspectiva multidimensional, mas em uma única dimensão. A presente tese demonstrou que há caminhos diretos e mediados entre as variáveis clínicas e não clínicas em relação à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal. / A few studies have evaluated the dimensional structure of Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Further analysis on the dimensionality and the adequacy of OHIP-14 can help improve the interpretation of this instrument. The objectives of this thesis were to assess the dimensionality and testing a conceptual model of oral health-related quality of life using the OHIP-14 scale. The thesis was organized in three manuscripts. The first manuscript "Comparison of two assessment instruments of the quality of life in older adults" aimed to investigate if there is convergent validity between the dimensions of World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief Version (WHOQOL-Bref) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaires. In this study, 872 elderly Southern-Brazilians were evaluated. The dimensions of WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 questionnaires were correlated by affinity. All correlations analyzed had a low magnitude. Despite the fact that WHOQOL-Bref and OHIP-14 instruments have related dimensions, they measure physical, psychological and social relations differently. The second manuscript "Oral Health Impact Profile-14: a Unidimensional Scale?" aimed to investigate the dimensional structure of the OHIP-14. Subjects were from Rio de Janeiro (N=504) and Carlos Barbosa (N=872) Studies in Brazil. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed to identify the dimensions of OHIP-14. The factor analysis confirmed one factor in both studies. Our findings suggest that the OHIP-14 is a unidimensional scale. The third manuscript "Testing the applicability of a conceptual model of oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older people" aimed to test Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model in relation to oral health-related quality of life. A random sample of 578 elderly Southern-Brazilians was evaluated. Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model was tested using structural equations modeling including: edentulism, symptom status, functional health, oral health perceptions, oral health-related quality of life, and sociodemographic variables. In the final model, edentulism was negatively correlated to dissatisfaction of appearance of their dental prostheses (r= -0.25). The worse functional status was correlated with poor oral health perception (r= 0.24). Age had a direct effect on OHIP-14 (r= -0.15). There was an indirect effect of sex on OHIP-14 via functional status (r= 0.12). The results showed that for elderly Brazilians variables such as sex and age are important in the conceptual understanding of oral health-related quality of life. Our findings suggest that the OHIP-14 may not evaluate the oral impact on quality of life on a multidimensional perspective, but in a single dimension. The present thesis demonstrates that there are direct and mediated pathways between clinical and nonclinical variables in relation to oral health-related quality of life.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders amongst women, estimated to affect one out of 10 women. Symptoms include infertility, obesity, alopecia, acne, hirsutism and menstrual irregularities. Women with the syndrome are also more likely to experience co-morbid physical and psychological conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, endometrial cancer and also depression and anxiety. PCOS has also been found to have a negative impact on quality of life. This thesis aimed to further understanding, and improve quality of life of women with PCOS in the UK. To achieve this, the thesis aimed to investigate and identify how women with PCOS in the UK perceive and define their quality of life and to further understanding of the day-to-day experience of living with PCOS. Moreover, in order to measure quality of life, it aimed to develop and validate a UK disease-specific quality of life measure for women with PCOS. It also aimed to identify, develop and test a pilot intervention to increase quality of life in women with PCOS. To achieve these aims a mixed-methods approach was taken employing a variety of data generation and collection methods including: photovoice, online Skype™ interviews; LimeSurvey and Qualtrics. The findings of this thesis emphasise that PCOS has a negative impact on quality of life; encompassing psychological, social, environmental, and physical domains of quality of life. Women with PCOS who experienced the symptoms of infertility, hirsutism, weight, alopecia, skin discolouration, skin tags and mood swings had significantly lower scores of overall quality of life than those women who did not experience the symptoms. In addition, those women with PCOS who had a diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression had reduced quality of life. The dissemination of these findings will enable health care professionals to better understand the experience of living with PCOS and its impact on quality of life. Moreover, this thesis identifies many areas for future research which will enable a better understanding of the impact of PCOS on quality of life. Finally, this thesis makes recommendations for clinical practice which include improvement of support from health care professionals for women with PCOS in order to help them better manage their symptoms, and therefore improve their overall quality of life.

The diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of present state of the quality of life in regions in the Czech Republic. The comparison of regions is based on statistically monitored quantitative data -- objective indicators of the quality of life. In chosen Vysočina region aditionally qualitative indicators that include subjective evaluation of conditions of life in the region were monitored. First two chapters deal with the theory of quality of life and the methods of the measurement. The third part of the thesis focuses on the practical analyses . The aim of the diploma thesis was to evaluate objective conditions of the quality of life using total hierarchical index in all regions, demonstrate regional differences and analyze subjective quality of life in Vysočina region. The analysis of statistical data, scholarly issues and moreover empirical research were used to achieve the aim.

The aim of the study was to identify factors affecting quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Method: Systematic literature review where scientific studies were searched in PubMed och Cinahl databases.   Result The analysis resulted in four categories: Life style related factors, Schizophrenia related factors, Sociodemographic factors and Mental illness. Current depressive symptoms and a high level of disease awareness affect QoL in patients with schizophrenia. The conclusion: Several factors affect quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Some of the factors are preventable, so increased awareness regarding these factors can contribute to adequate nursing care to promote health for persons with schizophrenia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between engaging in minimum levels of physical activity as defined by ACSM and perceived quality of life. A total of 43 college students were included in a repeated measures, quasi-experimental design research study that produced an overall retention rate of 65%, which resulted in 15 students being placed in the treatment group, and 28 students being placed in the control group. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to compare the quality of life mean scores over three administrations of the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), which resulted in no significant main effects for either the time measure or the group measure, but did produce a significant interaction effect. Post hoc analyses showed there was a significant difference between the treatment and control groups' quality of life mean scores only during the second administration of the instrument. Further analysis showed that the control group had significantly higher quality of life domain scores for six of the 16 quality of life domains. There were no significant differences between groups across any of the physiological measures. These findings did not support previous research that increasing individuals' level of physical activity will enhance their perceived quality of life. Instead, this study only provokes more questions about the connection between physical activity and perceived quality of life.

Bakgrund: Prevalens av fetma ökar i världen. Fetma har både fysisk och mentalpåverkan på individen och förknippas med samsjukdomar såsom diabetes, hjärtochkärlsjukdomar, depression och dåligt självförtroende. Livskvalitet påverkas avfetma.Syfte: Att sammanställa studier som har undersökt samband mellan fetma ochlivskvalitet.Metod: En systematisk litteraturstudie baserad på artiklar med kvantitativ ansats.Tre databaser användes till litteratursökningen; PubMed, CINAHL och PsycInfo.Efter kvalitetsgranskning sammanställdes resultat utifrån de fyra mestförekommande mätinstrumenten för livskvalitet; IWQOL-Lite, EQ-5D, HADSsamt SF-36/SF-12.Resultat: Personer med fetma upplever sämre livskvalitet, särskilt inom denfysiska komponenten av HRQOL. Inget uppenbart samband mellan den mentalakomponenten och fetma kunde påvisas. Prevalens av ångest och depression blandpersoner med fetma observerades.Konklusion: Det är viktigt för sjuksköterskan att vara uppmärksam på hurpersoner med fetma upplever livskvalitet för att kunna rikta sinaomvårdnadsåtgärder. / Background: Obesity is increasing on a global scale. Obesity has both physicaland mental consequences for the individual and is associated with co-morbiditiessuch as diabetes, coronary diseases, depression, and low self-esteem. Quality oflife is affected by obesity.Aim: To compile studies that have examined how obese people experience qualityof life.Method: A systematic review based on quantitative studies. Three databases wereused for the literature search; PubMed, CINAHL and PsycInfo. After qualitycontrol, results were compiled based on the four most commonquestionnaires/surveys; IWQOL-Lite, EQ-5D, HADS and SF-36/SF-12.Results: Obese people experience impaired quality of life, especially in thephysical component of HRQOL. No obvious relation between the mentalcomponent and obesity was found. Prevalence of anxiety and depression wasobserved in obese people.Conclusion: It is important for nurses to be aware of how obese people experiencequality of life, so they can tailor their nursing actions.