Quality of American Life Series

The Quality of American Life Studies surveyed Americans in the 1970s about perceived quality of life by measuring perceptions of their socio-psychological condition, their needs and expectations from life, and the degree to which those needs were satisfied. 

In 1971, data were collected via personal interviews from a national probability sample of 18-year-olds from 36 states and Washington, D.C. The 1978 study drew from a national sample that included many respondents from the 1971 study. Compared to the 1971 study, the later study asked more detailed questions about participants’ perceived financial status relative to their family, friends, and past personal financial status. 

Funding was provided by the Russell Sage Foundation and the National Science Foundation.