IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/chinre/v17y2024i6d10.1007_s12187-024-10174-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Systematic Review of Children’s Psychological Well-Being from a Eudaimonic Perspective: a Narrative Synthesis

Author

Listed:
  • Phadiel Hoosen

    (University of the Western Cape)

  • Shazly Savahl

    (University of the Western Cape
    Utrecht University)

  • Sabirah Adams

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Ferran Casas

    (Universidad Andrés Bello
    Research Institute on Quality of Life Universitat de Girona)

Abstract

Understanding children’s psychological well-being (PWB) from a eudaimonic perspective is crucial given its impact on children’s overall well-being and quality of life. This perspective denotes PWB as the realisation of one’s true potential and attaining meaningful goals that lead to personal growth and fulfilment. Despite the recent increasing interest in children’s PWB, there is limited literature in this area. This may be due to the abstract nature of eudaimonic concepts, which are challenging to operationalise and measure, leading to less empirical attention. Using a systematic review, we synthesised existing empirical studies on children’s PWB from a eudaimonic perspective. We identified 32 quantitative articles, which presented in four different categories, namely validation studies, predictors and correlates of PWB, descriptive studies, and intervention studies. Most studies used Ryff’s (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069–1081, 1989) theoretical model of PWB and her PWB Scale, and were conducted in high-income countries. Future research should prioritise conducting studies in diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts to ensure a comprehensive understanding of children’s PWB. By expanding geographic and socio-economic representation, and including longitudinal studies, we can develop more effective and inclusive interventions and policies that cater to the needs of children globally.

Suggested Citation

  • Phadiel Hoosen & Shazly Savahl & Sabirah Adams & Ferran Casas, 2024. "A Systematic Review of Children’s Psychological Well-Being from a Eudaimonic Perspective: a Narrative Synthesis," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(6), pages 2577-2597, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:17:y:2024:i:6:d:10.1007_s12187-024-10174-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-024-10174-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12187-024-10174-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12187-024-10174-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Loreto Ditzel & Ferran Casas & Javier Torres-Vallejos & Alejandra Villarroel, 2022. "The Subjective Well-Being of Chilean Children Living in Conditions of High Social Vulnerability," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(3), pages 1639-1660, June.
    2. Miriam Raquel Wachholz Strelhow & Jorge Castellá Sarriera & Ferran Casas, 2020. "Evaluation of Well-Being in Adolescence: Proposal of an Integrative Model with Hedonic and Eudemonic Aspects," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(4), pages 1439-1452, August.
    3. Rodrigo Moreta-Herrera & Xavier Oriol-Granado & Mònica González-Carrasco & Diego Vaca-Quintana, 2023. "Examining the Relationship between Subjective Well-being and Psychological Well-being among 12-Year-Old-Children from 30 Countries," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(5), pages 1851-1870, October.
    4. Edward Deci & Richard Ryan, 2008. "Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: an introduction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, January.
    5. Elizabeth Benninger & Shazly Savahl, 2017. "A Systematic Review of Children’s Construction of the Self: Implications for Children’s Subjective Well-being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 10(2), pages 545-569, June.
    6. Phadiel Hoosen & Sabirah Adams & Habib Tiliouine & Shazly Savahl, 2022. "Youth and Adolescents’ Perceptions of Violence in Post-Apartheid South Africa: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(3), pages 885-911, June.
    7. Danilo Garcia & Anver Siddiqui, 2009. "Adolescents’ Psychological Well-Being and Memory for Life Events: Influences on Life Satisfaction with Respect to Temperamental Dispositions," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 407-419, August.
    8. Jack Bauer & Dan McAdams & Jennifer Pals, 2008. "Narrative identity and eudaimonic well-being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 81-104, January.
    9. Eunice Magalhães & Maria Manuela Calheiros, 2020. "Why Place Matters in Residential Care: the Mediating Role of Place Attachment in the Relation Between Adolescents’ Rights and Psychological Well-Being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(5), pages 1717-1737, October.
    10. Danilo Garcia & Saleh Moradi, 2013. "The Affective Temperaments and Well-Being: Swedish and Iranian Adolescents’ Life Satisfaction and Psychological Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 689-707, April.
    11. Simon Matthew Herd, 2022. "Synthesising Hedonic and Eudaimonic Approaches: A Culturally Responsive Four-Factor Model of Aggregate Subjective Well-Being for Hong Kong Children," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(3), pages 1103-1129, June.
    12. Carmen Viejo & Mercedes Gómez-López & Rosario Ortega-Ruiz, 2018. "Adolescents’ Psychological Well-Being: A Multidimensional Measure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, October.
    13. Veronika Huta & Richard Ryan, 2010. "Pursuing Pleasure or Virtue: The Differential and Overlapping Well-Being Benefits of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(6), pages 735-762, December.
    14. Suzanna J. Opree & Moniek Buijzen & Eva A. Van Reijmersdal, 2018. "Development and Validation of the Psychological Well-Being Scale for Children (PWB-c)," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, March.
    15. Carol Ryff & Burton Singer, 2008. "Know Thyself and Become What You Are: A Eudaimonic Approach to Psychological Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 13-39, January.
    16. Alan Waterman & Seth Schwartz & Regina Conti, 2008. "The Implications of Two Conceptions of Happiness (Hedonic Enjoyment and Eudaimonia) for the Understanding of Intrinsic Motivation," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 41-79, January.
    17. Oliver Nahkur & Ferran Casas, 2021. "Fit and Cross-Country Comparability of Children’s Worlds Psychological Well-Being Scale Using 12-Year-Olds Samples," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(6), pages 2211-2247, December.
    18. Mercedes Gómez-López & Carmen Viejo & Eva M. Romera & Rosario Ortega-Ruiz, 2022. "Psychological Well-Being and Social Competence During Adolescence: Longitudinal Association Between the Two Phenomena," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(3), pages 1043-1061, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yew-Kwang Ng, 2011. "Happiness Is Absolute, Universal, Ultimate, Unidimensional, Cardinally Measurable and Interpersonally Comparable: A Basis for the Environmentally Responsible Happy Nation Index," Monash Economics Working Papers 16-11, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    2. Baumeister, Roy F. & Vohs, Kathleen D. & Aaker, Jennifer L. & Garbinsky, Emily N., 2012. "Some Key Differences between a Happy Life and a Meaningful Life," Research Papers 2119, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    3. Veronika Huta & Alan Waterman, 2014. "Eudaimonia and Its Distinction from Hedonia: Developing a Classification and Terminology for Understanding Conceptual and Operational Definitions," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1425-1456, December.
    4. Sabrina Intelisano & Julia Krasko & Maike Luhmann, 2020. "Integrating Philosophical and Psychological Accounts of Happiness and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 161-200, January.
    5. Ethan McMahan & David Estes, 2011. "Hedonic Versus Eudaimonic Conceptions of Well-being: Evidence of Differential Associations With Self-reported Well-being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 103(1), pages 93-108, August.
    6. Mercedes Gómez-López & Carmen Viejo & Eva M. Romera & Rosario Ortega-Ruiz, 2022. "Psychological Well-Being and Social Competence During Adolescence: Longitudinal Association Between the Two Phenomena," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(3), pages 1043-1061, June.
    7. Zins, Andreas H. & Ponocny, Ivo, 2022. "On the importance of leisure travel for psychosocial wellbeing," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    8. Laing, Jennifer H. & Frost, Warwick, 2017. "Journeys of well-being: Women's travel narratives of transformation and self-discovery in Italy," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 110-119.
    9. Luke Henderson & Tess Knight & Ben Richardson, 2014. "The Hedonic and Eudaimonic Validity of the Orientations to Happiness Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 115(3), pages 1087-1099, February.
    10. Andrea LeFebvre & Veronika Huta, 2021. "Age and Gender Differences in Eudaimonic, Hedonic, and Extrinsic Motivations," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 2299-2321, June.
    11. Mohsen Joshanloo, 2011. "Investigation of the Contribution of Spirituality and Religiousness to Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being in Iranian Young Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(6), pages 915-930, December.
    12. Katsunori Sumi, 2014. "Reliability and Validity of Japanese Versions of the Flourishing Scale and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 118(2), pages 601-615, September.
    13. Edith Pollet & Tatjana Schnell, 2017. "Brilliant: But What For? Meaning and Subjective Well-Being in the Lives of Intellectually Gifted and Academically High-Achieving Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(5), pages 1459-1484, October.
    14. Igor Sotgiu, 2019. "Gender Differences and Similarities in Autobiographical Memory for Eudaimonic Happy Events," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(5), pages 1457-1479, June.
    15. Gemma Crous & Ferran Casas & Mònica González-Carrasco, 2018. "What Aspects are Important to Adolescents to Achieve Full Satisfaction in Life?," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(6), pages 1699-1718, December.
    16. Andres Fossas, 2019. "Psychological Maturity Predicts Different Forms of Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 1933-1952, August.
    17. Ethan McMahan & David Estes, 2012. "Age-Related Differences in Lay Conceptions of Well-Being and Experienced Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 79-101, March.
    18. Pilar Sanjuán, 2011. "Affect Balance as Mediating Variable Between Effective Psychological Functioning and Satisfaction with Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 373-384, June.
    19. Veselina P. Vracheva & Robert Moussetis & Ali Abu-Rahma, 2020. "The Mediational Role of Engagement in the Relationship Between Curiosity and Student Development: A Preliminary Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1529-1547, April.
    20. Nadine Richter & Marcel Hunecke, 2021. "The Mindful Hedonist? Relationships between Well-Being Orientations, Mindfulness and Well-Being Experiences," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 3111-3135, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:17:y:2024:i:6:d:10.1007_s12187-024-10174-x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.