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Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies 6/2012

01-12-2012 | Research Paper

Predictors of Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents’ Parents

Authors: Gordana Keresteš, Irma Brković, Gordana Kuterovac Jagodić

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 6/2012

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Abstract

Informed by theories about processes in families with adolescent children, this study examined the contribution of self-perceived decline in physical and cognitive functioning related to midlife, marital satisfaction, and parent–child conflict to psychological well-being of parents of young adolescents. Parental well-being was conceptualized within Ryff’s multidimensional model, which encompasses six dimensions: Autonomy, Self-Acceptance, Environmental Mastery, Positive Relationships with Others, Personal Growth, and Purpose in Life. In examining relationships between parental well-being and supposed predictors, sociodemographic variables (parental age and education), perceived general life stress, and perceived available social support were controlled for. Participants were Croatian mothers (N = 356) and fathers (N = 328) whose oldest child was transitioning to adolescence. Overall, the patterns of associations between the studied predictors and well-being dimensions were similar for mothers and fathers. The main finding of the study was that individual differences in the psychological well-being of adolescents’ parents may be more attributable to self-perceived midlife changes (particularly for mothers) and marital satisfaction (particularly for fathers) than to perceived level of parent–adolescent conflict.

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Metadata
Title
Predictors of Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents’ Parents
Authors
Gordana Keresteš
Irma Brković
Gordana Kuterovac Jagodić
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 6/2012
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-011-9307-1

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