{"title":"The Sources of Happiness in Preadolescence and Adolescence: A Multi-Method and Multi-Informant Perspective","authors":"","doi":"10.1007/s12187-024-10113-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Abstract</h3> <p>Research on happiness in preadolescence and adolescence has been limited regarding the sources of happiness. The present study aims to explore such sources in preadolescents and adolescents through a multi-method and multi-informant approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 77 family triads: children (age range: 11–19; <em>M</em> = 13.90, SD = 2.70; 61% female), mothers (<em>M</em> = 47.50, SD = 4.35), and fathers (<em>M</em> = 50.53, SD = 5.30). The triads were asked to define happiness from children’s perspective, describe what makes children happy, and indicate children’s levels of happiness. Using quantitative data, preadolescents exhibited higher individual happiness levels than adolescents, and fathers reported higher levels of children’s happiness than mothers. Through Thematic Analysis, five primary sources of happiness emerged: <em>Social relationships</em>, <em>Family relationships</em>, <em>Personal interests</em>, <em>Achievement</em>, and <em>Entertainment</em>. <em>Social relationships</em> was the most recurring theme across the narratives of both preadolescents/adolescents and parents. The second most recurring theme was <em>Personal interests</em> for preadolescents/adolescents and <em>Family relationships</em> for parents. Parents notably more frequently mentioned <em>Achievement</em> than children. Males displayed a higher propensity to report the <em>Entertainment</em> theme than females, while females reported the <em>Family relationships</em> and <em>Social relationships</em> themes more frequently. Preadolescents exhibited a higher occurrence of the <em>Entertainment</em> and <em>Family relationships</em> themes than adolescents. Regarding the concordance of themes between children and their parents, low overall levels of agreement were observed, all below 40%. The highest levels of concordance were found between mothers and fathers rather than between parents and children. The results could provide valuable insights to parents and educators on how to help youth promote their happiness.</p>","PeriodicalId":47682,"journal":{"name":"Child Indicators Research","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Child Indicators Research","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-024-10113-w","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"SOCIAL SCIENCES, INTERDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Research on happiness in preadolescence and adolescence has been limited regarding the sources of happiness. The present study aims to explore such sources in preadolescents and adolescents through a multi-method and multi-informant approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 77 family triads: children (age range: 11–19; M = 13.90, SD = 2.70; 61% female), mothers (M = 47.50, SD = 4.35), and fathers (M = 50.53, SD = 5.30). The triads were asked to define happiness from children’s perspective, describe what makes children happy, and indicate children’s levels of happiness. Using quantitative data, preadolescents exhibited higher individual happiness levels than adolescents, and fathers reported higher levels of children’s happiness than mothers. Through Thematic Analysis, five primary sources of happiness emerged: Social relationships, Family relationships, Personal interests, Achievement, and Entertainment. Social relationships was the most recurring theme across the narratives of both preadolescents/adolescents and parents. The second most recurring theme was Personal interests for preadolescents/adolescents and Family relationships for parents. Parents notably more frequently mentioned Achievement than children. Males displayed a higher propensity to report the Entertainment theme than females, while females reported the Family relationships and Social relationships themes more frequently. Preadolescents exhibited a higher occurrence of the Entertainment and Family relationships themes than adolescents. Regarding the concordance of themes between children and their parents, low overall levels of agreement were observed, all below 40%. The highest levels of concordance were found between mothers and fathers rather than between parents and children. The results could provide valuable insights to parents and educators on how to help youth promote their happiness.
期刊介绍：
Child Indicators Research is an international, peer-reviewed quarterly that focuses on measurements and indicators of children''s well-being, and their usage within multiple domains and in diverse cultures. The Journal will present measures and data resources, analysis of the data, exploration of theoretical issues, and information about the status of children, as well as the implementation of this information in policy and practice. It explores how child indicators can be used to improve the development and well-being of children. Child Indicators Research will provide a unique, applied perspective, by presenting a variety of analytical models, different perspectives, and a range of social policy regimes. The Journal will break through the current ‘isolation’ of academicians, researchers and practitioners and serve as a ‘natural habitat’ for anyone interested in child indicators. Unique and exclusive, the Journal will be a source of high quality, policy impact and rigorous scientific papers. Readership: academicians, researchers, government officials, data collectors, providers of funding, practitioners, and journalists who have an interest in children’s well-being issues.
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