Wisconsin Family Quality of Life Index (F-QLI)

Abstract

The Wisconsin Family Quality of Life Index (F-QLI) is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional instrument developed in 1996 by Becker, Shaw, and Reib. It is designed to provide a subjective assessment of an individual’s satisfaction and perceived importance across various critical aspects of family life and function. The scale integrates measures of individual well-being, social support, health behaviors, and the achievement of personal and family goals, thus providing a holistic view of Quality of Life (QoL) within the family unit. The F-QLI is particularly notable for its dual measurement approach, assessing both the respondent’s level of satisfaction with a domain and the perceived importance of that domain, allowing for nuanced clinical and research interpretations.

Keywords

family quality of life, F-QLI, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, substance use, social support, goal attainment, family dynamics, self-report index.

Authors

Marion A. Becker, Bret R. Shaw, Lisa M. Reib (1996).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Wisconsin Family Quality of Life Index (F-QLI) is to measure the respondent’s perception of their family’s overall quality of life by assessing satisfaction and importance across seven distinct domains. This dual focus allows practitioners and researchers to identify specific areas where intervention might be most impactful—those areas where satisfaction is low but importance is high.

The instrument is structured to gather extensive demographic and background information alongside quantitative data on subjective well-being and objective behavioral patterns (such as substance use and daily activities). This holistic data collection is essential for understanding the complex interplay of personal health, social environment, and family functioning in determining perceived quality of life.

Construct

The F-QLI measures the overarching construct of Family Quality of Life, operationalized through seven principal domains, which are assessed via a combination of Likert-style scales, checklists, and open-ended questions. These domains cover both internal family function and external environmental factors.

The seven core constructs measured are:

• Life Satisfaction: General contentment with life circumstances.
• Activities of Daily Living: Routine activities, housing, neighborhood, and basic needs (food, clothing).
• Physical Health: Subjective assessment of physical health status and medication adherence.
• Psychological Well-being: Measurement of mood states, coping ability, and general mental health over the past four weeks.
• Social Relations: Satisfaction and importance related to friendships, spousal/partner relationships, parent-child relationships, communication, and conflict resolution within the family.
• Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse: Assessment of the frequency and perceived consequences of substance use (alcohol, tobacco, street drugs, prescription drugs).
• Goal Attainment: Subjective measurement of the importance and achievement level of specific, personally nominated goals (up to three goals).

Validity

Specific, detailed psychometric analyses regarding the validity of the Wisconsin Family Quality of Life Index (F-QLI) are not provided within the initial source documentation. However, based on the breadth of the instrument, it aims to achieve strong content validity by covering numerous facets known to contribute significantly to subjective Quality of Life, including health, environment, social relationships, and personal achievement.

Further research utilizing the F-QLI would typically involve assessing construct validity by correlating scores with other established measures of family functioning, mental health, and life satisfaction. Given the instrument’s development in a university research context, it is presumed that initial validation studies were conducted, although details are not included in this entry.

Reliability

As with validity, detailed information regarding the reliability of the F-QLI is not explicitly documented in the provided source material. For a comprehensive measure of this type, researchers would typically seek to establish high internal consistency (e.g., using Cronbach’s Alpha) across multi-item subscales, particularly for the Satisfaction and Importance domains.

Additionally, test-retest reliability would be crucial to ensure that the instrument provides stable scores over time, assuming that the underlying psychological well-being and life circumstances of the respondents remain constant during the testing interval. Users interested in the reliability coefficients of the F-QLI should consult subsequent academic publications by the authors or the institutional website.

Factor Analysis

The underlying structure of the F-QLI suggests that it is designed to measure distinct factors corresponding to the seven core domains identified (e.g., Physical Health, Social Relations, Goal Attainment). While the source explicitly lists these seven factors, formal confirmation through Exploratory or Confirmatory Factor Analysis (EFA/CFA) is necessary to verify that the items load correctly onto these intended factors.

The lack of explicit factor analysis details in the source is common for instruments intended for ongoing development or specific research projects. The clear organization into thematic sections (Satisfaction, Health, Substance Use, Social Relations) strongly indicates a multi-factor structure aimed at differentiating various aspects of family life rather than providing a single, unitary Quality of Life score.

Instrument

Test Type: Self-report Quality of Life Index, Psychological Assessment Instrument

Format: Questionnaire utilizing Likert scales (7-point satisfaction, 5-point importance, 10-point goal scales), dichotomous (Yes/No) questions, frequency counts, and open-ended responses.

Language Available: English (as presented in the source content).

Population Group: Individuals (likely adults/heads of household) reporting on their subjective experiences and their family unit’s functioning.

Age Group: Adults (Implied by questions regarding occupation, marital status, and substance use).

Population Details: Originally developed in Wisconsin (suggested by the title) for use in research related to community and mental health services, possibly targeting families receiving support services.

Test Methodology: The F-QLI employs a standardized structured interview or questionnaire format. It uses a dual measurement system where respondents first rate their satisfaction level with various life aspects and subsequently rate the importance level of those same aspects. The instrument also includes measures of recent activities and detailed health and substance use behaviors.

Keywords

self-report, psychological scale, 1996, family assessment, satisfaction index, importance rating, psychometrics, community mental health.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not provided in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected]

Correspondence Address: Marion Becker, Ph.D., University of South Florida, Department of Community Mental Health, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1423, Tampa, Florida 33612-3899. Telephone: (813)974-7188 Fax: (813)974-6469.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Test Year: 1996.

Permissions and Fees: Information regarding permissions and usage fees should be directed to the primary author, Marion Becker, Ph.D., at the correspondence address or email provided. The instrument is publicly accessible via the University of South Florida institutional website, suggesting that it may be available for research use, but formal permission should always be sought. The original instrument source can be found online: http://wqli.fmhi.usf.edu/wqli-instruments/.

Reference’s

Becker, M. A., Shaw, B. R., & Reib, L. M. (1996). Wisconsin Family Quality of Life Index (F-QLI). University of South Florida, Department of Community Mental Health.

The instrument details and associated materials are available via the Wisconsin Quality of Life Index project website (WQLI).

Items of the Wisconsin Family Quality of Life Index (F-QLI)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Date of birth, Sex, highest school grade, current relationship/marital status, First names of members residing in household, source of family’s income, racial/ethnic background, lived with …, lived primarily at …, How adequate is your housing? (Check one)

SATISFACTION LEVEL

Now we would like to ask you some questions about your satisfaction with aspects of your family life.

Very dissatisfied, Moderately dissatisfied, A little dissatisfied, Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, A little satisfied, Moderately satisfied, Very satisfied

• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way you and your family spend time together?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the activities you do with your family?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the meals your family shares? Don’t eat together
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the food your family eats?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you when you are alone?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your family’s housing?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your neighborhood as a place for your family to live in?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the safety of your neighborhood?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your personal safety?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the clothing your family wears?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with routines (i.e. time for bed, meals, school, work) in your family? No routines
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the services your family uses?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your family’s access to transportation?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your sex life? Does not apply

We have asked how satisfied you are with different parts of your family life. Now we would like to know how important each of these aspects of your family life are.

Not at all important, Slightly important, Moderately important, Very important, Extremely important

• How important to you is the way your family time is spent?
• How important to you are the activities you do with your family?
• How important is sharing meals with your family?
• How important to you is the food your family eats?
• How important is it to feel comfortable when alone?
• How important is your family’s housing?
• How important is your neighborhood as a place for your family to live in?
• How important is your neighborhood safety?
• How important is your personal safety?
• How important to you is the clothing your family wears?
• How important to you is it that your family have routines (i.e. time for bed, meals, school, work)?
• How important to you are the services your family uses?
• How important to you is your family’s access to transportation?
• How important to you is your sex life?

ACTIVITIES AND OCCUPATIONS

• In the past four weeks, would you say that your family life has been: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent
• During the past four weeks, you have: (Check one)
• About how many hours a week do you work or go to school? Hours per week = ….
• What is your occupation?
• Do you work:? inside the home outside the home

Below are activities that you may have participated in recently. Please check YES or NO to indicate whether you have done the activity in the past four weeks.

• Gone for a walk
• Gone to a social group
• Gone to a movie or play
• Read a magazine or newspaper
• Watched TV
• Gone to church, synagogue, mosque
• Played cards
• Listened to a radio
• Played a sport
• Gone to a library
• How do you and your family spend time together? Please list the most frequent activities below.

1. … ………
2. … …….
3. … …….

We spend no time together

• Do you feel that you are engaged in family activities: (Choose one): Less than you would like, More than you would like, As much as you want
• How many meals in a week does your family eat together?
• Overall, I feel close to my family. Not at all, A little bit, Somewhat, Quite a bit, Very much

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Now we would like to know how you feel about things in your life. For each of the following questions, check the boxes that best describe how you have felt in the past four weeks. YES, NO

• Pleased about having accomplished something?
• Very lonely or remote from other people?
• Bored?
• That things went your way?
• So restless that you couldn’t sit long in a chair?
• Proud because someone complimented you on something you had done?
• Upset because someone criticized you?
• Particularly excited or interested in something?
• Depressed or very unhappy?
• On top of the world?

• In general, I am able to accomplish the things that I need to do. Strongly agree ,Agree, Disagree, Strongly disagree

• In general, I am able to cope with conflict and stress. All of the time, Most of the time, A good bit of the time, Some of the time, A little of the time, None of the time

• In the past four weeks you would best describe your physical health as: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent

• How do you feel about your physical health? (Check one)

• How important to you is your physical health? (Check one)

• Have you been prescribed medications? Yes No

If yes, please list all medications:

• Do you take these medications as prescribed? Yes No
• If you take medications for behavioral or mood problems, do you feel the medication helps? Not at all, Some, A fair amount, Quite a bit, Eliminates all symptoms

ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS

• Over the past four weeks have you drank any alcohol? Yes, No
• If yes, (number of days) on how many days have you had any alcohol to drink? …
• On the days you drank, what was the average amount you consumed? (number of drinks per day)
• Over the past four weeks have you used any street drugs (cocaine, marijuana, heroin, speed, LSD, etc.)? Yes, No
• If yes, on how many days have you used any street drugs? (number of days)
• Over the past four weeks have you used tobacco? Yes, No
• If yes, on how many days have you used tobacco? (number of days)

SUBSTANCE USE

• Now that we have asked you about your substance use please tell us about its effects on your life. Please check all the answers that apply and most closely reflect your situation.

No use, Use; but no problem, Use; but it helps me, Moderate problem, Severe problem, Extremely severe problem

Alcohol

Tobacco

Marijuana

Other Street Drugs

Prescription Drugs

Over the Counter

Caffeine

• Has anyone ever spoken to you about your substance use? Yes, No
• If yes, did they consider your use as a problem? Yes, No

SOCIAL RELATIONS / SUPPORT

Very dissatisfied, Moderately dissatisfied, A little dissatisfied, Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, A little satisfied, Moderately satisfied, Very satisfied

• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the number of friends your family has? No friends
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with how you and your family get along with friends?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your relationship with your children? No children
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your relationship with your spouse/partner? No spouse/partner
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way your family communicates with each other?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with how your family expresses caring for one another?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with how you get along with people outside of your family?
• How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way your family resolves problems?
• How many people outside of your family do you count as your friends? None, 1-2, 3-5, over 5

IMPORTANCE LEVEL

Not at all important, Slightly important, Moderately important, Very important, Extremely important

• How important is it to have friends outside of the family?
• How important is it to get along with friends?
• How important is your relationship with your child/children?
• How important is your relationship with your spouse?
• How important is family communication?
• How important is the expression of caring within the family?
• How important is it for family members to get along?
• How important to you is the way your family resolves problems?

During the past four weeks you have (check one): …

GOAL ATTAINMENT

• Goal 1: ______________________________________

How important is this goal to you? Please check the box below to indicate how important this goal is to you. Not at all important 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extremely Important

To what extent have you achieved this goal? Please check the box below to indicate the extent to which you have achieved this goal. Not at all achieved 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Completely achieved

• Goal 2: ______________________________________

How important is this goal to you? Please check the box below to indicate how important this goal is to you. Not at all important 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extremely Important

To what extent have you achieved this goal? Please check the box below to indicate the extent to which you have achieved this goal. Not at all achieved 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Completely achieved

• Goal 3: ______________________________________

How important is this goal to you? Please check the box below to indicate how important this goal is to you. Not at all important 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extremely Important

To what extent have you achieved this goal? Please check the box below to indicate the extent to which you have achieved this goal. Not at all achieved 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Completely achieved

been having good relationships with others and receiving support from family and friends

• been receiving only moderate support from family and friends
• had infrequent support from family and friends or only when absolutely necessary

Please check the box below to indicate how you feel about your family’s quality of life during the past four weeks. Lowest quality means things are as bad as they could be. Highest quality means things are the best they could be.

• LOWEST QUALITY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 HIGHEST QUALITY
• If your family’s quality of life is less than you hope for, how hopeful are you that you will eventually achieve your desired quality of life? (Check one): Not at all, Somewhat, Moderately, Very
• How much control do you feel you have over the important areas of your family life? (Check one): None, Some, A moderate amount, A great amount
• Has a child from your family ever been placed outside the home? Yes, No, If yes; for how long?
• Have you ever believed that your family would be better off if a child was placed outside the home? Yes, No
• Do you think that it is possible that a child may be placed out of the home in the future? Yes, No

How important are each of the following factors in determining your family’s quality of life?

Not at all important, Slightly important, Moderately important, Very important, Extremely important

• Family activities
• Your feelings about the family
• Your physical health
• Friends, people you spend time with outside of the family
• Ability to take care of yourself and your family
• Your emotional health
• Other, please specify: