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Factors Influencing Inequalities in the Quality of Life

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Aging in European Societies

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 6))

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Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) continues to be an important but contentious issue whether studied in the general population or amongst older people. Objective and subjective factors impact on the QoL of older people. Objective indicators include levels of income and education, housing standards and the nature of communities and neighbourhoods, social and familial relations including marital status, health and welfare state support. Subjective measurements, using indicators such as happiness or life satisfaction indexes, show individuals prioritising social relationships and roles, home and neighbourhood, psychological well-being, independent activities and health. Another approach to QoL in overall populations in advanced industrial societies argues that the degree of socio-economic inequality affects life expectancy, obesity, stress, depression, crime and other negative aspects of human behaviour with differential impacts on the QoL of older people.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, National School of Public Health, 196 Alexandras Ave., 21, Athens, Greece

    Elli Ioannidi

  2. 50+ Hellas, Pygmalionos 8, 11851, Athens, Greece

    Elizabeth Mestheneos

Authors
  1. Elli Ioannidi
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  2. Elizabeth Mestheneos
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Correspondence to Elli Ioannidi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nicosia, Vosporou 23, Nicosia, 2370, Cyprus

    Constantinos Phellas

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Ioannidi, E., Mestheneos, E. (2013). Factors Influencing Inequalities in the Quality of Life. In: Phellas, C. (eds) Aging in European Societies. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8345-9_10

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