Social Psychological Dimensions of Community Satisfaction and Quality of Life: Some Obtained Relations

Abstract

This study examined relations between dimensions of community satisfaction and perceived quality of life among residents of a southeastern United States (US) community. A random sample of 250 persons was interviewed using the Community Satisfaction Scale and a measure of over-all life quality. Two factors representing domains of community satisfaction. relevant to participants were positively and significantly related to perceptions of quality of life. Perceptions of care for community by others/institutions and belongingness/quality of community life were the best predictors. Results suggest the importance of social relations in community satisfaction and quality of life relationships. Implications for generalization of community satisfaction constructs across settings and to studies of planning and community change are discussed.

Community Identity and Sense of Belonging in a Northeastern English Town

“…Researchers of community satisfaction in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, using a sample of 250, have contributed to the development of sophisticated techniques of analysis of the underlying structure of community satisfaction (Bardo & Dokmeci, 1990a;Bardo & Dokmeci, 1990b;Hughey & Bardo, 1987). From the research on community satisfaction (reviewed by Hughey & Bardo, 1987), a second multidimensional approach to community satisfaction has been developed.…”

“…In a third approach, researchers have used a Community Satisfaction Scale (Bardo & Dokmeci, 1990a;Hughey & Bardo, 1987) to determine the underlying factors that make up community satisfaction. The four underlying factors that have emerged are friendliness, care by the community, belongingness and quality of community life, and alienation/acceptance.…”

“…From the research on community satisfaction (reviewed by Hughey & Bardo, 1987), a second multidimensional approach to community satisfaction has been developed. This view of community satisfaction takes into account people's views of the public, social, and commercial services in the area, the opportunities available, the actual physical environment, and the efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility, and accountability of local political decision makers.…”

Community Psychology Perspectives on Social Capital Theory and Community Development Practice

“…Community satisfaction has been studied by psychologists (Hughey & Bardo, 1987;Miller et al, 1980) as well as by sociologists. It is related to all four individual-level dimensions of SC (sense of community, collective efficacy, neighboring, and citizen participation; Perkins et al, 1990), but is clearly a separate construct (Perkins & Long, 2002).…”

Quality of Life Outcomes for Young Children with Disabilities: Legislative and Service Delivery Implications

“…The concept of quality of life has become a driving force in many human service fields (Hughey & Bardo, 1987;Landesmar, 1986;Schalock, Keith, Hoffman, & Karen, 1989;Sylvester, 1989;Tantam, 19881, albeit aimed primarily at adults. Quality of life can be an elusive and ambiguous term and there is no universally agreed upon operational definition.…”