Measuring Quality of Life in Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable populations, such as those under guardianship, with disabilities, mental health challenges, and living in institutional settings, often confront substantial barriers that limit their control over their lives. They frequently navigate systems that are institution-centric rather than person-centered, perpetuating dependency, segregation, and isolation. In response to this scenario, the quality of life (QOL) construct has gained prominence as a comprehensive framework for understanding and supporting individuals in vulnerable circumstances, including those with addiction issues. QOL highlights strengths, individual priorities, and critical contextual factors. This chapter delves into the conceptualization and assessment of QOL within vulnerable populations receiving social services support. It provides insights into the latest developments in the eight-domain model QOL conceptual framework and the QOL Supports Model. It also introduces nine QOL assessment tools used internationally with populations at risk of social exclusion, even in the presence of comorbid addiction (CAVIDACE, FUMAT, GENCAT, Integral, INICO-FEAPS, KidsLife, POS, QOLYSS, San Martín). The chapter concludes by exploring potential applications of QOL-related outcomes at micro, meso, and macro levels, emphasizing their value in the realm of addiction. It offers recommendations for future research, highlighting the potential for QOL to facilitate positive change and holistic support for individuals facing complex challenges.