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Happiness Among Adolescent Students in Thailand: Family and Non-Family Factors

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  • Rossarin Gray
  • Aphichat Chamratrithirong
  • Umaporn Pattaravanich
  • Pramote Prasartkul

Abstract

This paper explores family and non-family factors contributing to happiness among students aged 15–18 in Thailand. Data come from the Social and Cultural Situation and Mental Health Survey (n = 905). Based on regression analysis, family factors are more important than non- family factors in explaining the variations in adolescents’ happiness. Regarding the family domain, those who reported sufficient time spent with family members and highest level of love and connectedness were happiest. Those living in a two-parent family were happiest, followed by those living with a married father or a married mother (in a single parent family). Those living in an unmarried mother family were unhappiest, controlling for household economic status. These findings highlight the important role of a father in a country with a matrilocal family system. Regarding non-family factors, adolescents with the highest school attendance, highest self-esteem, and highest economic status who also regularly participated in extracurricular activities were happiest. Adolescents who were older and who had to do chores regularly tended to be less happy than their peers. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Rossarin Gray & Aphichat Chamratrithirong & Umaporn Pattaravanich & Pramote Prasartkul, 2013. "Happiness Among Adolescent Students in Thailand: Family and Non-Family Factors," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(2), pages 703-719, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:110:y:2013:i:2:p:703-719
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-011-9954-y
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    2. Zhongwu Li, 2023. "Does intrahousehold bargaining power enhance women's marital satisfaction? A perspective from two competing forces in China," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(1), pages 476-498, February.
    3. Kalayanee Senasu & Anusorn Singhapakdi, 2018. "Quality-of-Life Determinants of Happiness in Thailand: the Moderating Roles of Mental and Moral Capacities," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(1), pages 59-87, March.
    4. Gerit Götzenbrucker & Margarita Köhl, 2014. "Online relationship management, friendship cultures, and ego-networks of young people in Thailand and Austria," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 265-283, September.
    5. Qunyong Wang & Zhongwu Li & Xueliang Feng, 2019. "Does the Happiness of Contemporary Women in China Depend on Their Husbands’ Achievements?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 710-728, December.
    6. Kyung Eun Jahng, 2019. "Exploring Pathways to Middle School Students’ Life Satisfaction," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(5), pages 1643-1662, October.
    7. Wilai Napa & Jumpee Granger & Siranee Kejkornkaew & Pornsiri Phuagsachart, 2020. "Family happiness among people in a Southeast Asian city: Grounded theory study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(2), pages 292-299, June.
    8. Fabiane Friedrich Schütz & Lívia Maria Bedin & Jorge Castellá Sarriera, 2019. "Subjective Well-Being of Brazilian Children from Different Family Settings," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(3), pages 737-750, July.
    9. Siew Yap & Rozumah Baharudin, 2016. "The Relationship Between Adolescents’ Perceived Parental Involvement, Self-Efficacy Beliefs, and Subjective Well-Being: A Multiple Mediator Model," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 126(1), pages 257-278, March.

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