Family quality of life among families with a member
who has an intellectual disability: an exploratory
examination of key domains and dimensions of
the revised FQOL Survey
S. Werner,
1
M. Edwards,
2
N. Baum,
2
I. Brown,
3
R. I. Brown
4
& B. J. Isaacs
5
1 The Paul Baerwald School of SocialWork and SocialWelfare,The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
2 MukiBaum Treatment Centres,Toronto, ON, Canada
3 Faculty of SocialWork, University of Toronto,Toronto, ON, Canada
4 School of Child andYouth Care, University of Victoria,Victoria, BC, Canada
5 Surrey Place Centre,Toronto, ON, Canada
Abstract
Background The Family Quality of Life Survey
(FQOLS-) was developed as the result of
increased interest in family quality of life (FQOL)
among families with a member who has an intellec-
tual disability (ID). The instrument includes nine
life domains and six dimensions reflecting the main
areas and characteristics of FQOL. The aim of the
current study was to provide a descriptive analysis
of the domains and dimensions of the survey and to
explore their relationship to one another and to
global satisfaction.
Method A convenience sample of participants
with a family member who had ID completed the
FQOLS- in a large urban centre in Canada.
The data were analysed using descriptive analyses.
Results The findings showed that although partici-
pants differentiated between different domains and
dimensions, as reflected in their variability, stability
was also found. For example, support from others
was rated lowest across most dimensions, while
family relationships and health of the family were
generally rated higher.
Conclusions The findings strengthen the impor-
tance of examining both the overall perception of
FQOL as well as the perceptions in individual life
domains. Moreover, they highlight the need to
examine each life domain according to its various
dimensions. In sum, the results call for further
examination of the FQOLS- as a useful tool
for assessing FQOL and for implementing services
based on it.
Keywords developmental disability, family quality
of life, intellectual disability, measurement
instruments, quality of life
Introduction
Recently, the concept of family quality of life
(FQOL) has developed out of the broader quality
Correspondence: Meaghan Edwards, MukiBaum Treatment
Centres, Samor Road,Toronto, Ontario, Canada, MA J
(e-mail: meaghan@mukibaum.com).
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2009.01164.x
pp –
501
© The Authors. Journal Compilation © Blackwell Publishing Ltd