The Quality of Life Scale is synthesized by using scores on other scales. Component scores are either positive or negative. All positive components are added together, and all negative components are added together, then the sum of the negative components is subtracted from the sum of the positive components.
Positive components:
Human Relations
Hope (positive items only)
Negative components:
Social Alienation - Personal Disorganization (SAPD)
Depression
Health/Sickness
Total QOL=(Human Relations + Positive Hope) - (SAPD + Depression + Health/Sickness)
Notice that both the Human Relations and Social Alienation/Personal Disorganization scales can have scores that are either positive or negative. Thus, a negative Human Relations score will reduce the overall Quality of Life score, while a negative Social Alienation/Personal Disorganization score will increase the Quality of Life score.