Correlates of a Multidimensional Indicator of Quality of Life – Fractional Outcome Model Approach

• Published in: Statistika (Prague, Czech Republic) Vol. 97; no. 4; pp. 45 - 60
• Main Authors: Hanna Dudek, Wiesław Szczesny
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Statistical Office 01.01.2017
• Subjects: fractional outcome models; membership function; quality of life; Social diagnosis
• ISSN: 0322-788X; 1804-8765

Quality of life indicators need to be measured through a multidimensional framework. In this study, the data from the survey ‘Social Diagnosis’ is used. The survey encompasses a set of 16 items relating to the evaluation of satisfaction with particular aspects of life. The item’s categories are converted into a [0, 1] interval by using a membership function and then they are aggregated into a composite indicator. Fractional output models are applied to assess the impact of various socio-economic and demographic factors on values of this indicator. Such models are useful tools in cases when the response variable ranges between 0 and 1. It is found that satisfaction with life is U-shaped in age. Furthermore, it increases with education and association membership and decreases with disability, urbanisation, and being widowed or divorced. The results of the estimation indicate that the demographic composition of the household, region of residence and source of income all have a statistically significant impact on the quality of life in Poland.