Love of life as a measure of quality of life
| Date | 25 July 2024 |
| Pages | 1399-1410 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2024-0061 |
| Published date | 25 July 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek |
Love of life as a measure of quality of life
Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek
Abstract
Purpose –Love of life (LOL) is a new construct in positive psychology. LOL is defined by a generally
positive evaluationof one’s own life, positive regard towardslife and a pleasurable attachment to life. The
purpose of this studyis that LOL is associated with quality of life (QOL) and could be predictedby some
of its subscales.
Design/methodology/approach –A sample of Alexandria University undergraduates tookpart in this
study (n¼298).They responded to the WHOQOL Brief and LOL scales.
Findings –Men obtained significantlyhigher mean total scores than did women for general health, and
the physical and psychological domains of QOL. All the Pearson correlations between LOL and QOL
were significant except for two correlations for women. The strongest correlation with LOL is for the
psychologicalQOL domain. Principal componentsanalysis extracted one componentfor men which was
labeled ‘‘QOL and LOL.’’ For women, two components were extracted, which were labeled ‘‘QOL and
LOL’’ and ‘‘Generaland physical health.’’ Predictorsof LOL were psychological and social QOLdomains
(men),and psychological, social and environmentalQOL domains (women). It was concludedthat LOL is
associated with QOL, in particular,the psychological subscale. Furthermore, LOL can predict QOL, in
particular,the psychological and social domains.
Research limitations/implications –This study used nonprobability sampling with a sample of
studentsdrawn from only one university. So,it may be difficult to generalize thefindings.
Originality/value –LOL is a comparativelynew concept in the field of positivepsychology.
Keywords Love of life, Quality of life, Non-WEIRD, Egypt
Paper type Research paper
“The quality of life is more important than life itself”. (Alexis Carrel)
Introduction
The present study was conducted to explore the association between quality of life
(henceforth QOL) and love of life (LOL). An understudied sample of university students from
Egypt was recruited for this study, i.e. a sample outside the WEIRD nations (Western,
Educated, Industrial, Rich, Democratic) (Henrich et al.,2010). This study is at the heart of a
new branch or trend in contemporarypsychology, i.e. positive psychology. It focuses on the
bright side of life (and not psychopathology) and on the positive factors that help individual
flourish and thrive (e.g. Aspinwall and Staudinger, 2003;Diener,1984, 2000;Seligman,
2002, 2012;Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi, 2000;Sheldon, 2004;Snyderand Lopez, 2005;
Veenhoven, 2011).
The following sections in the introduction willreview QOL, subjective well-being and LOL as
a new construct in positive psychology. The aims of the present study and its hypotheses
will also be detailed.
Quality of life
Since the end of the 20th century, research on QOL has grownrapidly, as well as studies in
positive psychology, linked to happiness and life satisfaction. The concept of QOL
Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek is
based at the Department of
Psychology, Faculty of Arts,
Alexandria University,
Alexandria, Egypt.
The author thank Professor
David Lester for editing the
manuscript, the participants for
their co-operation, the assistant
researchers for the collection of
data and Ms Yomna Kamal,
PhD. candidate, for conducting
the statistical analysis of the
data.
Declaration of conflicting
interests: The author declares
no potential conflicts of interest
with respect to the research,
authorship, and/or publication
of this article.
Funding: The author received
no financial support for the
research, writing and
publication of this article.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-04-2024-0061 VOL. 28 NO. 6 2024,pp. 1399-1410, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jPAGE 1399
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