Influences of Quality of Life on Health and Well-Being

The quality of life (QOL) indicators surrounding health, including worry and well-being, the way in which they function as multi-dimensional constructs and the potential stability of relationships were examined across universities in Hawaii and Japan. Maintaining or strengthening QOL indicators of collective and individual health and well-being is a core factor of social indicators, including social capital, and is instrumental in reducing individuals' stress and worry and increasing their trust. Qualitative in-depth interviews with 64 male and female college students (32 college students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa; 32 college students at Reitaku University in Japan) were used to collect information on QOL indicators related to health and well-being and its associated concepts. The students' perceptions were grouped under 11 themes. The data indicate that QOL indicators have an impact on college students' health and well-being. They also suggest that differences in health status and well-being can be plausibly attributed to processes associated with socioenvironmental circumstances and situations.