Adaptation and Dissonance in Quality of Life: A Case Study in Mekelle, Ethiopia

The aim of this paper is to present an approach to identify the main reasons behind the mismatch between objective and subjective quality of life (QoL) conditions that result in adaptation and dissonance. A mixed method approach was developed and applied in the sub-city of Mekelle, Ethiopia to measure objective and subjective QoL and to understand the divergence between the two. Focused group discussions, household surveys and walking interviews were the methods used for data collection and descriptive analysis, spatial analysis and content analysis were the methods of data analysis employed in this study. The results show that indicators such as 'access to health facilities' score a high level of objective QoL but low level of subjective QoL. Some citizens do not necessarily perceive their QoL condition in the same way as objective indicators do. By combining the subjective and objective QoL four states are identified: wellbeing, deprivation, adaptation and dissonance. Household's strategies and priorities explain adaptation to inadequate objective QOL conditions. Some of the main reasons for adaptation and dissonance are related to issues of access to basic infrastructure, housing ownership, housing affordability, quality of services, and having additional means of income and survival strategies. Understanding the reasons identified for adaptation and dissonance can be used to provide better evidence for the formulation and implementation of public policies.