Several researchers have established a correlation between level of education and effects on a person’s health, but the pathways of thought which lead to better health and longer life expectancy are not yet clearly understood (Lleras-Muney, 2006; Feinstein,2002). The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of education on quality of life. That is, it will serve to analyze the effects of education level in regards to a person’s employment and marital statuses, income levels, and life style (including obesity, number of children, and owning property). It is clear that human development and well-being are closely associated to the socioeconomic status and education attainment of the individual (Ross & Wu, 1994; Keating & Hertzman, 1999), but this study will strive to show to what degree this occurs.

Background
Kuh, Ben-Shlomo, Lynch, & Hallqvist (1996), outline the association between the biological, environmental, and social experiences that occur throughout a person’s entire lifespan and detail how they influence well-being and illness. They, furthermore, emphasize the fact that the early child development period is a crucial period in an individual’s life which contains the roots of learning, literacy, and the adaptive behaviors that sustain the physical and mental health aspects of the socioeconomic status of child development. Keating & Hertzman (1999) suggest that these early experiences exert important influences both on adult health and, ultimately, on community and societal function. Furthermore, Kristenson, et al. (2004), determined the strong association between the socioeconomic status of education levels and the neuroendocrine responses to the stress that SES imposes and their influence on psychosocial well-being.

Using the secondary data set “IIcp 1starusdemo 53” I plan to examine the association between educational level and quality of life by examining subject’s marital status, income levels, and their lifestyle, including factors such as body weight, owning property, and limiting pregnancy, as well as their quality of life. Selecting a secondary data requires the following questions answers. Is this research design appropriate to the research question? Are the sample sizes selected large enough? Are the research methods, tools and instruments clear given the study design? In “IIcp 1starusdemo 53” the data set contains answers to these questions. The “IIcp 1starusdemo 53” data set fits into the research that I plan to examine, and it will address the aforementioned questions. This research will be beneficial in answering the following questions: Is education level associated with marital status, number of children, and being obese? Does education level determine whether or not a person owns or rents a house, how many adults live in the household, the number of pregnancies, and even employment status?