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Quality of Life in a City: The Effect of Population Density

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Abstract

There exist a number of concepts andoperational definitions of quality of life. Inthe present study the aim has been to develop acomprehensive, global index of quality of life,and relate the sub-indexes and global index tovarious socio-demographic variables, somatichealth and density of population in theresidential area. The sample consisted of 2066individuals between 18 and 65 years old fromthe common population. Seven sub-indexes weredeveloped. They constituted one factor withmoderate intercorrelations between thesub-indexes. Good somatic health, living in astable relationship with a partner, preferablymarried, in a less densely populated area,having a good education, a good income andbeing a younger female were the independentstatistical determinants of global quality oflife. However, various sub-indexes were relatedto different socio-demographic variables. Agewas oppositely related to differentsub-indexes. The study shows the importance ofwhat type of quality of life is investigated.To our knowledge, this is the first study ofthe effect of population density on quality oflife.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oslo University, PO Box 1094, Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway

    Victoria Cramer & Svenn Torgersen

  2. Oslo University, PO Box 85, Vinderen, N-0319, Oslo, Norway

    Einar Kringlen

Authors
  1. Victoria Cramer
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  2. Svenn Torgersen
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  3. Einar Kringlen
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Cramer, V., Torgersen, S. & Kringlen, E. Quality of Life in a City: The Effect of Population Density. Social Indicators Research 69, 103–116 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SOCI.0000032663.59079.0b

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SOCI.0000032663.59079.0b

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