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Introduction: the aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of life skill training (self conscious, making decisions and problem solving, stress coping strategies, interpersonal relationship, controlling anger) on life skill dimensions of adolescent orphans.

 

Method: this study employed pre test-post test, experimental method, Using control group. Statistical population of the study consisted adolescent orphans aged 12-18, who were under supervisory of Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in Isfahan. Referring to the muster of population, A sample of 60 male and female were selected and then were assigned randomly into two experimental and control groups (each consisting of 15 males and 15 females). Experimental group received the UNICF life skill training (UNICF training Package) in15 sessions in a 3 month period in the training groups, (the training group for males and females performed separately). Descriptive statistics (Mean and Mancova) and inferential statistics were used to analyzing research findings.

 

Findings: results of the study showed that life skills training had an effect on the quality of life of orphans.

 

Discussion: in addition to traditional and financial aids for supporting the adolescent orphans, It seems necessary to increase their quality of life through life skill trainings.

 

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Introduction: Economic development and improvement in life quality is the main objective of all societies in all levels. To this end, it is necessary to have a better understanding of factors affecting individual life quality. Quality of Life Index (QLI) is a suitable tool that reflects socio-economic condition of a society. Thus, QLI can be employed as a major tool in local and national development plans. Human capital, however, has a vital role in life quality through which development is affected.

 

Method: In this paper, the relationship between human capital (represented by the graduated people in bachelors, master and PhD) and QLI in all Iranian provinces is studied. To this end, using time series data of all provinces during the period of 2003-2009, and employing fixed effect in panel data model, the effect of human capital on QLI of all provinces is examined.

 

Findings: The results show that human capital, adult literacy rate and urban population rate have positive and significant effect on QLI of Iranian provinces. However, population has a negative and significant effect on QLI of provinces.

 

Conclusion: The results show that human capital has a significant effect on economic growth and, therefore, on life quality of people. However, the number of postgraduates (master and PhD) has had more effects on life quality compared with graduates (bachelors). Thus, government is suggested to increase investments on higher education if it is to improve life quality of individuals in Iranian provinces.

 

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Introduction: Child abuse and misconduct with children have adverse effects on their growth and health and  consequences such as anxiety, depression, risk of suicide, antisocial behavior and drug abuse. One of the important components that  affects mental health is social support. Social protection, as one of the critical factors, can decrease the development of mental illness and improve mental health status. It means the more  social support increases, the more the level of health increases and vice versa. Life quality is one of the factors which affects abused child’s quality of life . The world health organization defines the quality of life as an individual’s perception of their position in life in the content of culture and value system in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. Given the importance of quality of life and the perception of social support for mental health,  this study investigates the moderating role of perceived social support on the relationship between mental health and the life quality of abused children.
Method: This  is a  descriptive –correlation study. The  statistical populaion of study included all abused children 7 to 12 years old at Torbat Haidarieh city. The sample size of the study included sixty abused children whose have file and record in social emergency section and have been experiencing one type of child abuse such as negligence, physical and sexual. They were chosen as whole-count. Three questionnaires of perceived social support of family, mental health and life quality were used to collect data for this research. The Kolmogorov- Smironov test was used to determine the normal distribution of data. Then, to examine the relationship between mental health and life quality, Pearson correlation coefficient was used. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to investigate the moderating role of social support on the relationship  between mental health and life quality.
Findings: Findings indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between mental health and quality of life (r = .63, p <.0001). It means that with the increase of mental health, the  quality of life increases. Hierarchical regression analysis also indicates that the combined effect of mental health and perceived social support is significant. So, perceived social support has a moderating role in the relationship between mental health and quality of life. In the next step,  follow up tests (Post hoc probing) method were used to show that in what circumstances the perceived social support variable (when perceived social support is high and when perceived social support is low) has moderating role. Therefore, once the combined effect of high perceived social support and mental health and once again the combined effect of low perceived social support and mental health were analyzed (follow up tests -post hoc probing). It became clear when quality of life is low, but social support is high, mental health is high. Also, when the quality of life is high, but social support is low, mental health is low.
Discussion: The results of the study showed that with increasing mental health, quality of life also increases. Concerning the moderating variable of perceived social support, the results also indicate that perceived social support has a moderating role in the relationship between mental health and quality of life. In general, social support is a protective factor against the harmful effects of various types of stress. The perception of social support creates positive relationships, problem-solving skills, and protection skills against emotional and behavioral problems. Social support is considered as an important factor among adult victims and abused children and reduces the psychological effects of stressful injuries, as well as facilitates emotional and cognitive functioning among victims of abuse.

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Introduction: In recent decades in the field of Psychology, Medicine, and Social Sciences, extensive research has been conducted on the life quality of the elderly. The life quality of the group as a social issue the core of which is formed by health, is investigated by mental/objective and individual/collective, and physical/social dimensions. But the life quality and its indicators are referred to as a complex, multidimensional and vogue concept, because for different people the importance and value of each dimension of life varies, seeing contradictions and differences as well as common points among studies necessitates a meta-analysis, revision, and combination of findings in order to achieve a common analysis over the life quality of the elderly and its various dimensions.
Method: exploring and revealing the logical connection of influential factors and key indicators through comparative study of twenty (scientific & research) articles by measuring the effect size of factors and independent variables toward achieving new and more comprehensive results and removing future impediments and improving the life quality of the elderly.
Findings: in response to the main question of the present study, by measuring the effect size of factors and variables having greatest impact on the life quality of the elderly, three social, cultural indicators and population variables related to independent variables, optimism training and life expectancy (83%), non-institutional social participation (77%), physical and mental health (75%), and religious attitudes and religiosity (76%) were found to be of great influence.
Discussion: Among research studies, the life quality of the elderly was only studied in one of the qualitative research studies (from phenomenological point of view), and most of studies has been done in a quantitative way.