Subjectifying quality of life as a medical rehabilitation outcome

In the literature of health-status assessment, it has been argued that quality of life has distinct meaning only if it is conceptualized and assessed according to a subjective perspective. This paper applies that viewpoint to the conceptual components of disablement and to assessing subjective wellbeing (i.e. subjective quality of life) as medical rehabilitation outcomes. The definition and measurement of subjective wellbeing are discussed, and its correlates for people generally are reviewed. Findings for people with disabilities are summarized, and several substantive and methodological issues are highlighted that require additional investigation.