Quality of Life in Relation to Social Support:A Study of Hindu Couples

This study was carried out with the objectives of investigating to (a) psychometric properties of the behavioural measures of Social Support Questionnaire and Quality of Life Assessment Inventory, (ii) factor analysis of the subscale/subfactor measures of the behavioural gamut, and (iii) effects of 'gender' (men & women) and 'levels of number of available support' (low & high scorers) as well 'gender' (men & women) and 'levels of satisfaction factor of social support' (low & high scorers) on the various measures of quality of life. A total of three hundred and ten (310) HINDU couples served as respondents by purposive sampling technique. The scales employed for data collection were (a) Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ; Sarason et al., 1983) and (b) Quality of Life Assessment Inventory (WHOQOL; Group, 1995) to meet the objectives of the study. Results revealed significant positive relationship between satisfaction factor of social support and quality of life physical comfort, psychological, level of independence, mood and spirituality, however, negative relationship with that of physical discomfort. Findings indicate that satisfaction factor of social support enhances quality of marital life.