Gorka Vuletić

Health-related quality of life of women with disabilities in relation to their employment status.

Aim To compare the health-related quality of life of unemployed and employed women with disabilities and establish factors affecting their life satisfaction. Methods The study included 318 women with disabilities, 160 of whom were employed and 158 unemployed, paired according to age and region of residence. The health-related quality of life was assessed by The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, and social demographics and factors affecting life satisfaction were collected by a general questionnaire. The factors affecting life satisfaction were defined according to respondents’ statements. Results Unemployed women with disabilities had a lower mean score (±standard deviation) on all health-related QoL domains: psychological health (14.52 ± 2.80 vs 15.94 ± 2.55), social relationships (15.12 ± 3.08 vs 16.06 ± 2.69), environment (12.80 ± 2.78 vs 13.87 ± 2.49), as well as on a separate item of self-assessed health (3.33 ± 1.16 vs 3.56 ± 0.92) than their employed counterparts (P < 0.01). This disparity was not found only in the domain of physical health. The largest positive impact on life satisfaction in both groups was family. Conclusion As disabled women are a particularly vulnerable population group, stressing the importance of employment and family as factors affecting their quality of life may help equalizing opportunities and upgrading the quality of life of all – particularly unemployed women with disabilities.

A Comparative Study on Self-Perceived Health of Cyclists and Inactive Persons in Croatia

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the self-perceived health of persons who regularly (three or more times a week) use a bicycle as a means of transport with that of completely or mostly (less than three times a week) inactive persons in Croatia. Methods: The study included 108 persons who used a bicycle three or more times a week, for longer than half an hour. The average respondent age was 37. Sixty-six respondents were men (61%), 42 women (39%). The control group comprised 100 persons with the average age of 39. Among control respondents, 58 were men (58%) and 42 women (42%). Health was self-assessed by means of a health status questionnaire – the Croatian version of SF-36. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in all health dimensions between cyclists and inactive persons. The poorest health dimensions in physically inactive individuals were vitality and energy, psychological health, and role limitation due to emotional problems. A total of 42.6% cyclists and no more than 17% of their inactive counterparts declared having better health than last year. A difference was also observed in the segment of health deterioration relative to a year ago – 30% of inactive participants stated their health worsened compared to a year ago, as did 8% of cyclists. While 4% of inactive respondents felt their health deteriorated drastically, no cyclists thought likewise. Conclusion: Cyclists perceived their health significantly better than the physically inactive respondents. Lifestyle factors that affect health self-assessment could be an important explanation.

Role of social support in quality of life of people with hearing impairment

background: The deterioration of hearing impairment reduces quality of life (QOL). There is evidence confirming the existence of a positive relationship between social support and subjective QOL. Aim: To examine the subjective QOL of people with severe hearing impairment in relation to the use of hearing aids and perceived social support. Methods: The study included 155 members of Associations of Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Osijek and Zagreb. Data were collected during October and November 2011. Multidimensional approach was used to measure QOL applying the following instruments: Personal Wellbeing Index ‒ Adult (PWI), Scales of Perceived Social Support (SPSS), and Socio-Demographic Health Questionnaire. Results: The average score on the SPSS was 200,06 (SD = 39,01). Most social support was received from family members (M = 101,74; SD = 24,73). Descriptive analysis of PWI and QOL domain showed low PWI score (M = 56,64; SD = 18,78), the highest satisfaction with close relationships (intimacy) (M = 6,64; SD = 2,44), and the lowest with future security (M = 4,85; SD = 2,53). The highest correlation was obtained between close relationships and total social support (r = 0,626; p < 0,01), and the lowest between material well-being and social support of the family (r = 0,282; p < 0,01). Social support was the strongest significant predictor of overall QOL (explaining 22% of variance of QOL). Those using hearing aids had statistically significant higher scores in total QOL, as well as in health, close relationships, safety domains, and in social support. Conclusion: This study shows that use of hearing aids results in higher perceived social support which is the strongest predictor of overall QOL.

Quality of life in blind and partially sighted people

The aim of this research was to examine the subjective quality of life in blind and partially sighted people in relation to the type of impairment, du