Sen and the art of quality of life maintenance: Towards a general theory of quality of life and its causation

D. Ruta; L. Camfield; C. Donaldson

doi:10.1016/j.socec.2006.12.004

Sen and the art of quality of life maintenance: Towards a general theory of quality of life and its causation

D. Ruta
, L. Camfield
, C. Donaldson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sen's capability approach permits re-appraisal of a central concept in health and social care, and international development-'quality of life' (QoL). We compare Sen's capability view of QoL with current views in health care, and re-define QoL as 'the gap between desired and actual capabilities'. A causal pathway linking resources to capabilities, and finally to QoL, is postulated. The notion of 'cognitive homeostasis' is introduced to explain the observed curvilinear relationship between resources and QoL. A separate set of factors is identified that act to sustain or destabilise QoL. We conclude by examining the model's implications for policy and evaluation. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	397-423
Number of pages	27
Journal	Journal of Socio-Economics
Volume	36
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2006.12.004
Publication status	Published - Jun 2007

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abstract = "Sen's capability approach permits re-appraisal of a central concept in health and social care, and international development-'quality of life' (QoL). We compare Sen's capability view of QoL with current views in health care, and re-define QoL as 'the gap between desired and actual capabilities'. A causal pathway linking resources to capabilities, and finally to QoL, is postulated. The notion of 'cognitive homeostasis' is introduced to explain the observed curvilinear relationship between resources and QoL. A separate set of factors is identified that act to sustain or destabilise QoL. We conclude by examining the model's implications for policy and evaluation. {\textcopyright} 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.",

author = "D. Ruta and L. Camfield and C. Donaldson",

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AU - Camfield, L.

AU - Donaldson, C.

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AB - Sen's capability approach permits re-appraisal of a central concept in health and social care, and international development-'quality of life' (QoL). We compare Sen's capability view of QoL with current views in health care, and re-define QoL as 'the gap between desired and actual capabilities'. A causal pathway linking resources to capabilities, and finally to QoL, is postulated. The notion of 'cognitive homeostasis' is introduced to explain the observed curvilinear relationship between resources and QoL. A separate set of factors is identified that act to sustain or destabilise QoL. We conclude by examining the model's implications for policy and evaluation. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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JO - Journal of Socio-Economics

JF - Journal of Socio-Economics

IS - 3

ER -

Sen and the art of quality of life maintenance: Towards a general theory of quality of life and its causation

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