Abstract: | A theory, related measures, and series of studies are presented here which proffer a new approach to the study of quality of life. The approach is phenomenological. The quality of life evaluation is assumed to be in the eye of the experiencer. To facilitate the experiencer's communication, a non-verbal technique of measuring the personal meaning of events and environments is employed. A series of studies are described which emerge from this framework dealing with alienation; gain or loss of social status; love, marriage, and parenthood; and transitional states. Finally new uses of the approach are proposed. |