Factors Affecting Quality of Life with Emphasis On Social Intelligence and Social Health (The Case of Kermanshah City)

Introduction Quality of life is one of the most important areas of study in the social sciences. This is due to the increasing importance of quality of life studies in social policies and its role as an effective tool for welfare management and planning. Many factors can affect the quality of life, including those who are emphasized in this study, namely, social intelligence and social health of individuals. Quality of life has been under so much attention among social scientists, because it is essential in the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of people and in satisfaction of life as well (Salimzadeh et al., 2007: 288). The World Health Organization defines quality of life as peoples’ perception of their position in life due to cultural background and values and individual goals (Alborzi & Alborzi, 2006: 322). There are two approaches in quality of life studies: subjective and objective (Lee, 2008: 1206). These approaches are often distinct from each other and are rarely used in combination to measure quality of life. Mental aspects of quality of life, people's perception and evaluation of their lives is measured by using subjective criteria. Subjective quality of life is measured in different ways. The concept of quality of life is rooted in relation to health, that is, different models of health to be regarded as an indicator of livability, environmental quality, while in other models it is to act as a health determinant (Beaudoin, 2003: 107). Today, the issue of quality of life is the essential prerequisite of development and one of the most important areas of study in different countries. This is due to its growing importance as an instrument efficient in planning and management issues associated with development and human communities (Hörnquist, 1982: 18). General agreement among scholars, policy makers and planners about the need to study the quality of life in different areas and projects, academic, scientific and research is an important tool to achieve these goals.   Materials and Methods This research is quantitative for which a survey was conducted. In this method the theoretical literature has been the main source to draw variables. Data collection was conducted through a researcher-made questionnaire. The sample consisted of 384 residents 15 to 60 years of Kermanshah city. In this study, quota and random sampling was used. The neighborhoods were categorized in proportion to the population, and specific quota was allocated to each district and then within each quota the samples were selected by simple random sampling. The data were analyzed with software SPSS and Amos Graphics. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed. In addition to determining the strength and direction of social intelligence and social health impact on quality of life in various situations, a structural equation model was also used.   Discussion of Results and Conclusions According to information obtained the mean of quality of life is modest. In other words, the scores of the 30 items measuring it showed a moderate amount. To determine the strength and direction of the effect of social intelligence and social wellbeing on quality of life in different situations a structural equation model was used, in which the correlation coefficients between latent variables are calculated according to the standard. The correlation coefficient between social intelligence and social wellbeing is 0.51. This coefficient according to the second hypothesis was confirmed to be less than the 5% significance level. In general, the relationship between social intelligence and social health with quality of life in general can be confirmed.