Happiness and socio-emotional well-being of children and adolescents: a multi-method and multi-informant perspective

The present dissertation explores individual and family happiness and socio-emotional well-being in children and adolescents within the family environment, identifying risk and protective factors that influence happiness during childhood and adolescence. This doctoral thesis is divided into three chapters comprising three closely related studies. Specifically, Chapter 1 provides an overview of the theoretical frameworks used in the present dissertation. The first study represents the first systematic literature review to examine the relationship between happiness (defined to encompass subjective well-being, life satisfaction, and positive affect) and family functioning during the developmental stage (age range: 6-18 years). Of the 2,683 retrieved documents, 124 original articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The review results prove a positive relationship between happiness and family functioning across different cultures and age groups. Family dimensions (e.g., cohesion, communication) strongly predicted children’s and adolescents’ happiness. Chapter 2 encompasses the second study of this doctoral thesis, which aims to explore the happiness of children and pre-adolescents within the family context, utilizing a multi-method and multi-informant approach. Specifically, the narratives of happy moments spent with mothers and fathers were qualitatively examined within a sample of 154 families, each with at least one child aged between 6 and 13 years. Furthermore, this study seeks to underscore potential differences in perspective among children, mothers, and fathers. Six main themes related to children’s happy moments emerged from the transcripts: (1) Activities outside the home; (2) Shared activities; (3) Play; (4) Affection; (5) Gifts; (6) Non-specified. Emotional interactions characterized the happiest moments reported with mothers, while those with fathers were more frequently playful and fun situations. Chapter 3 contains the third study employing qualitative and quantitative approaches and a multi-informant perspective for exploring potential age and gender disparities in happiness between 77 pre-adolescents and adolescents (age range: 6-18 years) and their respective mothers and fathers. The results revealed that pre-adolescents report higher happiness levels than adolescents and lower levels of loneliness. Through Thematic Analysis, five primary sources of happiness emerged: (1) Social relationships, (2) Family relationships, (3) Personal interests, (4) Achievement, and (5) Entertainment. Pre-adolescents exhibited a higher occurrence of the Entertainment and Family relationships themes than adolescents. Parents notably more frequently mentioned Achievement than children. Overall, the findings of this dissertation could provide valuable insights to parents and educators on how to help children and adolescents promote their happiness.