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The Impact of Childhood Emotional Abuse on Adolescents’ Subjective Happiness: the Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence

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  • Chi Kin Kwan

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Sylvia YCL Kwok

    (City University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Subjective happiness has been considered a key indicator of adolescents’ healthy development. The present study aimed at identifying the impact of childhood emotional abuse on adolescents’ subjective happiness and the possible role of emotional intelligence as a mediating variable. Using convenience sampling, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 9 secondary schools in Hong Kong, China. Participants included a total of 1710 grade 8 to grade 9 secondary school students. The mean age was 13.6, and 61.2% were boys. Measures included child abuse and trauma, emotional intelligence, and subjective happiness. The results showed that childhood emotional abuse in adolescents’ childhood is a significant risk factor for subjective happiness. Emotional intelligence has a partial mediation effect on the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and subjective happiness. It is noteworthy that parenting practices in childhood have a significant impact on children’s happiness even after a period of time. It is suggested that students’ emotional intelligence be enhanced to increase their subjective happiness. Although the conventional parenting style may be rooted in Chinese culture, a paradigm shift in parenting seems to be needed for Chinese parents. Efforts should be made to promote appropriate parenting methods and emotional intelligence in Chinese societies. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Chi Kin Kwan & Sylvia YCL Kwok, 2021. "The Impact of Childhood Emotional Abuse on Adolescents’ Subjective Happiness: the Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(6), pages 2387-2401, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:16:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1007_s11482-021-09916-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-021-09916-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sylvia Y. C. L. Kwok & Minmin Gu, 2017. "The Role of Emotional Competence in the Association Between Optimism and Depression Among Chinese Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 10(1), pages 171-185, March.
    2. Festinger, Trudy & Baker, Amy, 2010. "Prevalence of recalled childhood emotional abuse among child welfare staff and related well-being factors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 520-526, April.
    3. Daniel Shek, 2010. "Introduction: Quality of Life of Chinese People in a Changing World," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 95(3), pages 357-361, February.
    4. Sylvia Lai Kwok & Daniel Shek, 2010. "Personal and Family Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 95(3), pages 407-419, February.
    5. Sonja Lyubomirsky & Heidi Lepper, 1999. "A Measure of Subjective Happiness: Preliminary Reliability and Construct Validation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 137-155, February.
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    1. Chonggao Wang & Wangqian Fu & Kangjie Geng & Yan Wang, 2023. "The Relationship Between Deaf Adolescents’ Empathy and Subjective Well-Being in China During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Inconsistent Role of Peer Support and Teacher Support," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(5), pages 1913-1940, October.

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