In the absence of a widely accepted definition of quality of life, the first step in developing WHOQOL was to define the concept.

Quality of life is defined by the WHO as "an individual's perception of his or her position in life in relation to the cultural and value context in which he or she lives and to his or her goals, expectations, standards, and concerns.

" It is a comprehensive concept that intricately incorporates the relationship between an individual's physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, personal beliefs, and salient features of her environment.