Evaluating Quality of Life Programs

The Approach

Sailor, wife, and baby reunited

PSE examined 13 programs (e.g., Navy College Program, Relocation Assistance, Counseling) based on 10,765 survey responses collected worldwide.

PSE defined common metrics across all the programs and determined the impact of QOL programs on outcome measures, such as readiness and retention.

PSE conducted path analysis, using both regression analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

The Solution

Sailor and wife reunited

Nearly all of the QOL programs were found to be beneficial. Moreover, the quality of several programs was found to be directly linked to improved readiness.

Many of the QOL programs were also found to contribute to sailors' intention to remain in the service. Again, the quality of these programs affected the strength of this career intention relationship.

The Benefits

New Navy gym

This statistical analysis provided a better understanding of how well the Navy's QOL programs are meeting the needs of military personnel and their families.

PSE's model also helped Navy program managers quantify how their QOL programs impact force readiness and personnel retention.

Additional Information

Glaser, D. N., Schwerin , M. J., Michael, P. G., & Farrar, K. L. (2002). A path analysis of Navy quality of life programs. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Schwerin , M. J., Michael, P. G., Glaser, D. N., & Farrar, K. L. (2002). A cluster evaluation of Navy quality of life programs. Evaluation and Program Planning, 25, 303-312.

Glaser, D. N. (2001). Analysis of Navy quality of life model . San Diego , CA : Pacific Science & Engineering Group.

Schwerin , M., Michael, P., & Glaser, D. (2001). Evaluating quality of life programs: Linking programs to outcomes . Symposium on Quality of Life in the Navy and Marine Corps at the 2001 American Psychological Association Convention in San Francisco, CA.

Schwerin , M. J., Michael, P. G., Glaser, D. N., & Uriell, Z. A. (2000). Quality of life (QOL) program contributions to readiness & Retention: Summary report . Millington , TN : Navy Personnel Research, Studies, & Technology.