Applied Research in Quality of Life

Congratulations to Joe Sirgy, Mohsen Joshanloo & Grace B. Yu! Their article has been selected as the 2025 Applied Research in Quality of Life (ARQOL) Best Annual Paper.

Sirgy, M. Joseph, Mohsen Joshanloo & Grace B. Yu (2025).
How Does Work-Life Conflict Influence Wellbeing Outcomes? A Test of a Mediating Mechanism Using Data from 33 European Countries.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11482-024-10401-1

In Memoriam: Richard J. Estes

The founding and current editors of Applied Research in Quality of Life and the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) mourn the passing of Professor Richard J. Estes, one of the journal’s founding editors. Together with Alex Michalos and Joseph Sirgy, Richard founded the journal in 2006 and helped establish it as a leading international journal in quality-of-life studies.

Richard J. Estes, Professor Emeritus of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, a renowned scholar of comparative social development, international human rights, and global quality of life, passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 85. He leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence and a profound commitment to advancing human well-being worldwide. Joining the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice in 1973, Dr. Estes built a five-decade career, leading the Social and Economic Development concentration and directing international programs. He pioneered the Weighted Index of Social Progress, a critical tool for measuring global quality of life, and authored many seminal works on social development.

Prominent research that are widely cited include the following books: The Social Progress of Nations, 1984; Trends in World Social Development, 1988; Health Care and the Social Services, 1984; Towards a Social Development Strategy for Asia and Pacific Region, 1992; Social Development in Hong Kong, 2005; Medical, Legal, and Social Science Aspects of Child Sexual Exploitation, 2007; Advancing Quality of Life in a Turbulent World, 2007; Social Progress in Islamic Societies, 2016; The Pursuit of Human Well-Being, 2017;  Advances in Well-Being, 2018; Combatting Jihadist Terrorism through Nation-Building, 2019; and The Social Progress of Nations Revisited, 2019.

The following personal reflections from Joseph Sirgy and one of the current editors, Graciela Tonon, offer a glimpse of Richard's extraordinary character and the lasting impact he had on those who knew and worked with him.

Joseph Sirgy reflects:

Richard was not only a great colleague but also a wonderful friend. He supported his colleagues, mentees, students, and all those who came in contact with him. He did so with a great deal of compassion and empathy. Richard was a secular humanist with values intrinsic to social welfare and human well-being.

He truly believed that we, as human beings, have made significant progress in advancing human well-being, despite all the human suffering and carnage caused by despotic governments and malfeasance. Our civilized world is moving in the right trajectory.

Richard endured many ailments and has undergone countless surgeries in the last few years. He was resilient and persevered despite all his physical adversities. The key reason for such resilience was his optimism and positive outlook on life. He is indeed the ultimate role model of a happy individual, full of life and vitality, and, of course, a dispenser of knowledge and wisdom on the quality of life in society.  

Graciela Tonon adds:

On my personal note as a social worker, Richard was first a social worker too, deeply committed to addressing inequalities—particularly those affecting people living in poverty, women, children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities, involuntary migrants, and other socially excluded groups. He was named "Social Worker of the Year" by the National Association of Social Workers in 1992, he received the Contribution to Social Work Education Award from the Council on Social Work Education, and—following his retirement—was inducted into the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare in 2014.

We had the honor of hosting Richard for his last lecture during the ISQOLS Regional Conference, "Quality of Life, Well-being, and Happiness in Latin America," held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in March 2026. In his address, he highlighted the rising number of women studying at Latin American universities, the importance of fostering social cohesion and peace among peoples, and the need to recognize and respect the identities, values, traditions, and artistic expressions of diverse cultures. His legacy serves as an inspiration for future generations; he consistently maintained a positive attitude in the face of adversity, encouraging people to persevere and strive toward a better future for all.

The current editorial team is profoundly grateful to Richard and his co-founders for their vision, leadership, and many years of dedicated service to the journal.

May he rest in peace.

With much love,

His fellow founding editors, Alex Michalos and Joseph Sirgy

The current editorial team of Applied Research in Quality of Life

The International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies

The International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) is an international society who purpose is to promote and encourage research in the field of quality-of-life (QOL) studies....

Applied Research in Quality of Life welcomes concise, critical reviews of recently published books relevant to quality-of-life research and policy. Reviews should go beyond summary by situating the book within key debates and assessing its contribution to quality-of-life research and practice. We particularly welcome reviews of recent influential books.

Before you write: Please contact the Book Review Editor to propose a book, confirm suitability, and ensure there is no conflict of interest. The entire process regarding book reviews is handled through direct contact with the book review editor, rather than through the regular article submission platform.

Guidelines

• Length: 1,000–1,200 words 
• Include: brief overview of the book’s argument + critical assessment of strengths/limitations and relevance for ARQOL readers (with a few key references if helpful)
• Conflicts of interest: please do not review books by close collaborators (e.g., supervisors/supervisees, co-authors, departmental colleagues, or others where impartiality may be compromised)
• Review copies: we provide review copies in electronic format.
• To propose a book or volunteer as a reviewer: contact the Book Review Editor (Javier Martinez) [j.a.martinez@utwente.nl]