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The Evolution of Life Satisfaction Throughout Childhood and Adolescence: Differences in Young People’s Evaluations According to Age and Gender

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  • Maria Aymerich

    (University of Girona (UdG))

  • Ramon Cladellas

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB))

  • Antoni Castelló

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB))

  • Ferran Casas

    (University of Girona (UdG))

  • Mònica Cunill

    (University of Girona (UdG))

Abstract

The level of life satisfaction perceived during childhood and adolescence is an excellent indicator of healthy psychological emotional development. The main aim of this work is to study the levels of life satisfaction perceived by young people throughout their childhood and adolescence. To this end, an innovative retrospective approach is adopted that shows how the evolution of life satisfaction is perceived at different ages according to gender. The present study is based on a sample of 600 Spanish adolescents (58.1% girls; mean age = 16.64) who report the evolution of their life satisfaction from 6 years to 18, through the Life Satisfaction Chart (LSCh). The Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) is also administered to record levels of anxiety and depression. The results indicate no gender differences in terms of life satisfaction during childhood. Levels of life satisfaction are significantly higher in childhood than in pre-adolescence and adolescence and a significant decrease in levels appearing towards the age of 11. As for gender, significant differences in life satisfaction appear from the age of 12, with girls being significantly more dissatisfied, more depressed and more anxious than boys. Current levels of anxiety and depression do not appear to interfere with retrospectively reported levels of life satisfaction throughout the developmental years studied, except among the female population, where minimal interference is detected. Life satisfaction retrospectively reported by young people shows a significant decrease after the age of 11 years, with greater emotional and psychological vulnerability after this age, mainly and notably among girls. The present results highlight the importance of psychological/affective care in the pre-adolescent and adolescent stages, especially among the female population.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Aymerich & Ramon Cladellas & Antoni Castelló & Ferran Casas & Mònica Cunill, 2021. "The Evolution of Life Satisfaction Throughout Childhood and Adolescence: Differences in Young People’s Evaluations According to Age and Gender," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(6), pages 2347-2369, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:14:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1007_s12187-021-09846-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-021-09846-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. Kaye-Tzadok, Avital & Kim, Sun Suk & Main, Gill, 2017. "Children's subjective well-being in relation to gender — What can we learn from dissatisfied children?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 96-104.
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    2. Jose Marquez & Ferran Casas & Laura Taylor & Jan-Emmanuel Neve, 2024. "Economic Development and Adolescent Wellbeing in 139 Countries," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(4), pages 1405-1442, August.
    3. Marija Džida & Toni Babarović & Andreja Brajša-Žganec, 2023. "The Factor Structure of Different Subjective Well-Being Measures and its Correlates in the Croatian Sample of Children and Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(5), pages 1871-1888, October.
    4. Małgorzata Szcześniak & Iga Bajkowska & Anna Czaprowska & Aleksandra Sileńska, 2022. "Adolescents’ Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction: Communication with Peers as a Mediator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Eirini Leriou, 2023. "Understanding and Measuring Child Well-being in the Region of Attica, Greece: Round Five," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(4), pages 1395-1451, August.
    6. Raziye Yüksel Doğan & Emine Nilgün Metin, 2023. "Exploring the Relationship between Mindfulness and Life Satisfaction in Adolescents: The Role of Social Competence and Self-Esteem," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(4), pages 1453-1473, August.

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