Dimensions of quality of life of UM Digos College graduates

Abstract

Higher education institutions need to look beyond internal indicators as a means of measuring quality. Graduates’ quality of life (QoL) has to be looked into and become a source of feedback. This study aims to model the quality of life of UM Digos College graduates from years 2005 to 2010 for the three major departments namely Liberal Arts, Commerce and Business Administration, and Teacher Education. This descriptive-exploratory research specifically sought to determine the dimensions that would define the graduates’ quality of life. Out of 1,098 graduates covered in the eight-year period, a sample of 293 alumni were selected using stratified sampling. The latent nature of the graduates’ quality of life necessitates the use of factor analysis. The data gathering process commenced with focused group discussions (FGD) which generated 38 indicator items which were then pilot tested. Screening of quantitative data which involved tests for collinearity, normality and outliers were done to ensure satisfaction of basic assumptions for analysis. Dimension reduction using principal component analysis and VARIMAX rotation revealed a multidimensional quality of life of the graduates. The final model was made up of 23 item statements that clustered into five dimensions identified as community engagement and work satisfaction, financial stability, health and environment, educational and professional development, and leisure and personal growth. Furthermore, the findings also revealed no significant differences in the manifestation of the factors when the graduates were grouped by department.