Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Journal of Happiness Studies 5/2009

01.10.2009 | Research Paper

Please May I Have a Bike? Better Yet, May I Have a Hug? An Examination of Children’s and Adolescents’ Happiness

verfasst von: Lan Nguyen Chaplin

Erschienen in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Ausgabe 5/2009

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Academic research on children’s and adolescents’ happiness has been slow to develop. This research provides an empirical investigation to answer the question, “What makes children and adolescents happy?” We explore this question in two studies with a total of 300 participants ages 8–18. Study 1 asks participants to answer the open-ended question, “What makes me happy?” There were five emergent themes—“people and pets,” “achievements,” “material things,” “hobbies,” and “sports”. Study 2 also asks participants to answer the question, “What makes me happy?”, but uses two different measures (a semi-structured thought listing task and a collage task). Using three different happiness measures, we found consistent age differences in what children perceive to make them happy.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Andrews, F. M., & Withey, S. B. (1976). Social indicators of well-being: Americans perceptions of life quality. New York: Plenum Press. Andrews, F. M., & Withey, S. B. (1976). Social indicators of well-being: Americans perceptions of life quality. New York: Plenum Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Argyle, M. (2002). The psychology of happiness. London: Routledge. Argyle, M. (2002). The psychology of happiness. London: Routledge.
Zurück zum Zitat Ash, C., & Huebner, E. S. (1998). Life satisfaction reports of gifted middle school children. School Psychology Quarterly, 13, 310–321.CrossRef Ash, C., & Huebner, E. S. (1998). Life satisfaction reports of gifted middle school children. School Psychology Quarterly, 13, 310–321.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Avolio, B., Yammarino, Y., & Bass, B. (1991). Identifying common methods variance with data collected from a single source: An unresolved sticky issue. Journal of Management, 17(3), 571–587.CrossRef Avolio, B., Yammarino, Y., & Bass, B. (1991). Identifying common methods variance with data collected from a single source: An unresolved sticky issue. Journal of Management, 17(3), 571–587.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Belk, R. W. (1985). Materialism: Trait aspects of living in the material world. Journal of Consumer Research, 12(3), 265–280.CrossRef Belk, R. W. (1985). Materialism: Trait aspects of living in the material world. Journal of Consumer Research, 12(3), 265–280.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bortner, R. W., & Hultsch, D. F. (1970). A multivariate analysis of correlates of life satisfaction in adulthood. Journal of Gerontology, 25(1), 41–47. Bortner, R. W., & Hultsch, D. F. (1970). A multivariate analysis of correlates of life satisfaction in adulthood. Journal of Gerontology, 25(1), 41–47.
Zurück zum Zitat Bouazzaoui, B., & Mullet, E. (2005). Employment and family as determinants of anticipated life satisfaction: Contrasting european and maghrebi people’s viewpoints. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6(2), 161–185.CrossRef Bouazzaoui, B., & Mullet, E. (2005). Employment and family as determinants of anticipated life satisfaction: Contrasting european and maghrebi people’s viewpoints. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6(2), 161–185.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bradburn, N. M. (1969). The structure of subjective well being. Chicago: Aldine. Bradburn, N. M. (1969). The structure of subjective well being. Chicago: Aldine.
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell, A., Converse, P. E., & Rodgers, W. L. (1976). The quality of American life. New York: Sage Foundation. Campbell, A., Converse, P. E., & Rodgers, W. L. (1976). The quality of American life. New York: Sage Foundation.
Zurück zum Zitat Chan, Y. K., & Lee, R. P. L. (2006). Network size, social support and happiness in later life: A comparative study of Beijing and Hong Kong. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(1), 87–112.CrossRef Chan, Y. K., & Lee, R. P. L. (2006). Network size, social support and happiness in later life: A comparative study of Beijing and Hong Kong. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(1), 87–112.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Chaplin, L. N., & John, D. R. (2005). The development of self-brand connections in children and adolescents. Journal of Consumer Research, 32(1), 119–129.CrossRef Chaplin, L. N., & John, D. R. (2005). The development of self-brand connections in children and adolescents. Journal of Consumer Research, 32(1), 119–129.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Chaplin, L. N., & John, D. R. (2007). Growing up in a material world: Age differences in materialism in children and adolescents. Journal of Consumer Research, 37(3), 480–493.CrossRef Chaplin, L. N., & John, D. R. (2007). Growing up in a material world: Age differences in materialism in children and adolescents. Journal of Consumer Research, 37(3), 480–493.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Clemente, F., & Sauer, W. J. (1976). Life satisfaction in the United States. Social Forces, 54(3), 621–631.CrossRef Clemente, F., & Sauer, W. J. (1976). Life satisfaction in the United States. Social Forces, 54(3), 621–631.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Cohn, R. M. (1979). Age and the satisfactions from work. Journal of Gerontology, 34(2), 264–272. Cohn, R. M. (1979). Age and the satisfactions from work. Journal of Gerontology, 34(2), 264–272.
Zurück zum Zitat Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1980). Influence of extraversion and neuroticism on subjective well-being: Happy and unhappy people. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38(4), 668–678.CrossRef Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1980). Influence of extraversion and neuroticism on subjective well-being: Happy and unhappy people. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38(4), 668–678.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Cummins, R. A. (2000). Personal income and subjective well-being: A review. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1(2), 133–158.CrossRef Cummins, R. A. (2000). Personal income and subjective well-being: A review. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1(2), 133–158.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Demir, M., & Weitekamp, L. (2007). I am so happy ‘cause today I found my friend: Friendship and personality as predictors of happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8(2), 181–211.CrossRef Demir, M., & Weitekamp, L. (2007). I am so happy ‘cause today I found my friend: Friendship and personality as predictors of happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8(2), 181–211.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dew, T., & Huebner, E. S. (1994). Adolescents perceived quality of life: An exploratory investigation. Journal of School Psychology, 32, 185–199.CrossRef Dew, T., & Huebner, E. S. (1994). Adolescents perceived quality of life: An exploratory investigation. Journal of School Psychology, 32, 185–199.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575.CrossRef Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Diener, E. (1994). Assessing subjective well-being: Progress and opportunities. Social Indicators Research, 31(2), 103–157.CrossRef Diener, E. (1994). Assessing subjective well-being: Progress and opportunities. Social Indicators Research, 31(2), 103–157.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Diener, E. (2000). Subjective well-being: The science of well-being and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist, 55(1), 34–43.CrossRef Diener, E. (2000). Subjective well-being: The science of well-being and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist, 55(1), 34–43.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, R., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75.CrossRef Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, R., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Lucas, R. E., & Smith, H. L. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125(2), 276–302.CrossRef Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Lucas, R. E., & Smith, H. L. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125(2), 276–302.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Emmons, R. A., & Diener, E. (1985). Personality correlates of subjective well-being. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11(1), 89–97.CrossRef Emmons, R. A., & Diener, E. (1985). Personality correlates of subjective well-being. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11(1), 89–97.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Flouri, E. (2004). Subjective well-being in midlife: The role of involvement of and closeness to parents in childhood. Journal of Happiness Studies, 5(4), 335–358.CrossRef Flouri, E. (2004). Subjective well-being in midlife: The role of involvement of and closeness to parents in childhood. Journal of Happiness Studies, 5(4), 335–358.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Fordyce, M. W. (1977). Development of a program to increase personal happiness. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 24(6), 511–521.CrossRef Fordyce, M. W. (1977). Development of a program to increase personal happiness. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 24(6), 511–521.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gilman, R., & Huebner, E. S. (2003). A review of life satisfaction research with children and adolescents. Social Psychology Quartarly, 18, 192–205. Gilman, R., & Huebner, E. S. (2003). A review of life satisfaction research with children and adolescents. Social Psychology Quartarly, 18, 192–205.
Zurück zum Zitat Glenn, N., & Weaver, C. (1998). The changing relationship of martial status to reported happiness. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50(2), 317–324.CrossRef Glenn, N., & Weaver, C. (1998). The changing relationship of martial status to reported happiness. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50(2), 317–324.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Harter, S. (1983). Developmental perspectives on the self-system. In E. M. Hetherington (Ed.), Socialization, personality, and social development (Vol. 4, Mussen’s handbook of child psychology) (pp. 275–385). New York: Wiley. Harter, S. (1983). Developmental perspectives on the self-system. In E. M. Hetherington (Ed.), Socialization, personality, and social development (Vol. 4, Mussen’s handbook of child psychology) (pp. 275–385). New York: Wiley.
Zurück zum Zitat Holder, M., & Coleman, B. (2007). The contribution of social relationships to children’s happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, Online(Nov), 1–21. Holder, M., & Coleman, B. (2007). The contribution of social relationships to children’s happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, Online(Nov), 1–21.
Zurück zum Zitat Holder, M. D., & Coleman, B. (2008). The contribution of temperament, popularity, and physical appearance to children’s happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(2), 279–302.CrossRef Holder, M. D., & Coleman, B. (2008). The contribution of temperament, popularity, and physical appearance to children’s happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(2), 279–302.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Homel, R., & Burns, A. (1989). Environmental quality and well-being of children. Social Indicators Research, 21, 133–158.CrossRef Homel, R., & Burns, A. (1989). Environmental quality and well-being of children. Social Indicators Research, 21, 133–158.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S. (1991). Correlates of life satisfaction in children. School Psychology Quarterly, 6, 103–111.CrossRef Huebner, E. S. (1991). Correlates of life satisfaction in children. School Psychology Quarterly, 6, 103–111.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S. (1994). Preliminary development and validation of a multidimensional life satisfaction scale for children. Psychological Assessment, 6, 149–158.CrossRef Huebner, E. S. (1994). Preliminary development and validation of a multidimensional life satisfaction scale for children. Psychological Assessment, 6, 149–158.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S. (2004). Research on assessment of life satisfaction of children and adolescents. Social Indicators Research, 66(1), 3–33.CrossRef Huebner, E. S. (2004). Research on assessment of life satisfaction of children and adolescents. Social Indicators Research, 66(1), 3–33.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S., & Dew, T. (1996). The interrelationship of positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction in an adolescent sample. Social Indicators Research, 38, 129–137.CrossRef Huebner, E. S., & Dew, T. (1996). The interrelationship of positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction in an adolescent sample. Social Indicators Research, 38, 129–137.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S., Drane, W., & Valois, R. F. (2000). Levels of demographic correlates of adolescent life satisfaction reports. School Psychology International, 21(3), 281–292.CrossRef Huebner, E. S., Drane, W., & Valois, R. F. (2000). Levels of demographic correlates of adolescent life satisfaction reports. School Psychology International, 21(3), 281–292.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S., Gilman, R., & Suldo, S. M. (2007). Assessing perceived quality of life in children and youth. In S. R. S. L. Handler (Ed.), Clinical assessment of children and adolescents: A practitioner’s guide (pp. 347–363). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Huebner, E. S., Gilman, R., & Suldo, S. M. (2007). Assessing perceived quality of life in children and youth. In S. R. S. L. Handler (Ed.), Clinical assessment of children and adolescents: A practitioner’s guide (pp. 347–363). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S., Laughlin, J. E., Ash, C., & Gilman, R. (1998). Further validation of the multidimensional students’ satisfaction scale. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 16, 118–134.CrossRef Huebner, E. S., Laughlin, J. E., Ash, C., & Gilman, R. (1998). Further validation of the multidimensional students’ satisfaction scale. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 16, 118–134.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S., Valois, R. F., Paxton, R. J., & Drane, J. W. (2005). Middle school students’ perceptions of quality of life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6(1), 15–24.CrossRef Huebner, E. S., Valois, R. F., Paxton, R. J., & Drane, J. W. (2005). Middle school students’ perceptions of quality of life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6(1), 15–24.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, S., Valois, R., Suldo, S., Smith, L., McKnight, C., Seligson, J., et al. (2004). Perceived quality of life: A neglected component of adolescent health assessment and intervention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34(4), 270–278. Huebner, S., Valois, R., Suldo, S., Smith, L., McKnight, C., Seligson, J., et al. (2004). Perceived quality of life: A neglected component of adolescent health assessment and intervention. Journal of Adolescent Health, 34(4), 270–278.
Zurück zum Zitat Huebner, E. S., Suldo, S. M., & Gilman, R. (2006). Life satisfaction. In G. B. K. Minke (Ed.), Children’s needs iii: Development, prevention, and correction (pp. 357–368). Bethesda, MD: NASP. Huebner, E. S., Suldo, S. M., & Gilman, R. (2006). Life satisfaction. In G. B. K. Minke (Ed.), Children’s needs iii: Development, prevention, and correction (pp. 357–368). Bethesda, MD: NASP.
Zurück zum Zitat Kasser, T. (2002). The high price of materialism. Cambridge: A Bradford Book, MIT Press. Kasser, T. (2002). The high price of materialism. Cambridge: A Bradford Book, MIT Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Laurent, J., Catanzaro, S., Rudolph, K., Lambert, S., Osborne, L., Gathright, T., et al. (1999). A measure of positive and negative affect for children: Scale development and preliminary validation. Psychological assessment, 11(3), 326–338.CrossRef Laurent, J., Catanzaro, S., Rudolph, K., Lambert, S., Osborne, L., Gathright, T., et al. (1999). A measure of positive and negative affect for children: Scale development and preliminary validation. Psychological assessment, 11(3), 326–338.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Lee, G. R., Seccombe, K., & Shehan, C. L. (1991). Marital status and personal happiness: An analysis of trend data. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53(4), 839–844.CrossRef Lee, G. R., Seccombe, K., & Shehan, C. L. (1991). Marital status and personal happiness: An analysis of trend data. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53(4), 839–844.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Lewis, M., & Michalson, L. (1983). Children’s emotions and moods: Developmental theory and measurement. New York: Plenum Press. Lewis, M., & Michalson, L. (1983). Children’s emotions and moods: Developmental theory and measurement. New York: Plenum Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006). Character strengths and happiness among young children: Content analysis of parental descriptions. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(3), 323–341.CrossRef Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006). Character strengths and happiness among young children: Content analysis of parental descriptions. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(3), 323–341.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Richins, M. L., & Dawson, S. (1992). A consumer values orientation for materialism and its measurement: Scale development and validation. Journal of Consumer Research, 19(3), 303–316.CrossRef Richins, M. L., & Dawson, S. (1992). A consumer values orientation for materialism and its measurement: Scale development and validation. Journal of Consumer Research, 19(3), 303–316.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Rigby, B., & Huebner, E. S. (2004). Do causal attributions mediate the relationship between personality and life satisfaction in adolescence? Psychology in the Schools, 41, 91–99. Rigby, B., & Huebner, E. S. (2004). Do causal attributions mediate the relationship between personality and life satisfaction in adolescence? Psychology in the Schools, 41, 91–99.
Zurück zum Zitat Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2004). Achieving sustainable new happiness: Prospects, practices, and prescriptions. In A. Linley & S. Joseph (Eds.), Positive psychology in practice (pp. 127–145). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2004). Achieving sustainable new happiness: Prospects, practices, and prescriptions. In A. Linley & S. Joseph (Eds.), Positive psychology in practice (pp. 127–145). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Zurück zum Zitat Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). Achieving sustainable gains in happiness: Change your actions, not your circumstances. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(1), 55–86.CrossRef Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). Achieving sustainable gains in happiness: Change your actions, not your circumstances. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(1), 55–86.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Stack, S., & Eshleman, J. R. (1998). Marital status and happiness: A 17-nation study. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60(2), 527–536.CrossRef Stack, S., & Eshleman, J. R. (1998). Marital status and happiness: A 17-nation study. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60(2), 527–536.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Veenhoven, R. (2000). The four qualities of life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1(1), 1–39.CrossRef Veenhoven, R. (2000). The four qualities of life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1(1), 1–39.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vitterso, J., Akselsen, S., Evjemo, B., Julsrud, T. E., Yttri, B., & Bergvik, S. (2003). Impacts of home-based telework on quality of life for employees and their partners. Quantitative and qualitative results from a european survey. Journal of Happiness Studies, 4(2), 201–233.CrossRef Vitterso, J., Akselsen, S., Evjemo, B., Julsrud, T. E., Yttri, B., & Bergvik, S. (2003). Impacts of home-based telework on quality of life for employees and their partners. Quantitative and qualitative results from a european survey. Journal of Happiness Studies, 4(2), 201–233.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The panas scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063–1070.CrossRef Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The panas scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063–1070.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Zaltman, G., & Coulter, R. H. (1995). Seeing the voice of the customer: Metaphor-based advertising research. Journal of Advertising Research, 35(4), 35–51. Zaltman, G., & Coulter, R. H. (1995). Seeing the voice of the customer: Metaphor-based advertising research. Journal of Advertising Research, 35(4), 35–51.
Metadaten
Titel
Please May I Have a Bike? Better Yet, May I Have a Hug? An Examination of Children’s and Adolescents’ Happiness
verfasst von
Lan Nguyen Chaplin
Publikationsdatum
01.10.2009
Verlag
Springer Netherlands
Erschienen in
Journal of Happiness Studies / Ausgabe 5/2009
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-008-9108-3

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 5/2009

Journal of Happiness Studies 5/2009 Zur Ausgabe