Perceived quality of life: a neglected component of adolescent health assessment and intervention.

The contribution of the construct of perceived quality of life (PQOL) to adolescent health assessment and promotion is discussed. Theory, measurement, and correlates of PQOL in adolescence are reviewed, with a focus on the incremental validity of PQOL data in relationship to more traditional pathology-based health indices. Similar to Diener's proposal, which pertained exclusively to adults, we call for the inclusion of PQOL data in national databases that monitor adolescent health outcomes.