Adolescents' perceptions of the words “health” and “happy”

Abstract

Purpose -The shared language of youth includes understandings of concepts that can be different from those of adults. Researchers, in their efforts to explore and illuminate the health behaviours and decision-making processes of young people, use generic terms in their data collecting protocols. This study aims to explore what adolescents understand by the words "healthy" and "happy". Design/methodology/approach -Semi-structured interviews were conducted in three post-primary schools with 31 students aged 12 and 13 years. Drawing on a grounded theory approach, interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis. Findings -The students provided a description and explanation of what health and happiness meant to them and how they intended to maintain both as they grew older. Perceptions of these two concepts were found to contain gendered nuances. This was clear in relation to descriptions of how friends were part of well-being; the girls were more likely to talk about feeling restricted and resentment at being treated like children and only the boys talked of looking forward to things. Originality/value -In order to gain an understanding of young people's perspectives about what matters and what influences their health behaviour, a clearer view of the different perspectives held by researcher and researched needs to be established so that more accurate conclusions can be drawn from data generated by young people.

What counts as happiness for young people: A qualitative study

“…These findings share similarities with the few studies that have also incorporated children's own conceptualisations, for example Nic Gabhainn and Sixsmith (2006) revealed that people that were loved, food and drink, animals and pets, and sleep were important to children's happiness, findings which overlap with O'Higgins et al.'s. (2010) study of 12‐ to 13‐year olds that family and friends were integral to their happiness. Chaplin's (2009) investigation into what makes children and adolescents happy revealed five themes: people and pets, achievements, material things, hobbies and sports, and Backman's (2016) study showed that young people associated happiness with relationships, positive behaviours and school learning.…”

“…However, research that has begun to ask young people about their conceptualisations of happiness have illustrated that this is not the case. For example, O'Higgins, Sixsmith, and Nic Gabhainn (2010) explored young adolescents' interpretations of the words ‘healthy’ and ‘happy’, drawing on a grounded theory approach utilising semi‐structured interviews. Emerging themes revealed that happiness was broadly associated with doing things and being with people.…”

How do Australian junior primary school children perceive the concepts of “healthy” and “unhealthy”?

“…In terms of energy expenditure, children referred to being active outdoors and “fresh air” as being healthy, and the perceived consequences of watching too much television. Previous research has shown adolescent children also make reference to fresh air when discussing health (O'Higgins et al , 2010). A similar perception of healthiness has been found for younger and older children.…”

Are you happy? Self-perception of happiness in children

“…31 resultados, dos quais um trabalho, com adolescentes, tratou de percepções sobre as palavras saúde e felicidade (O'Higgins, Sixsmith & Gabhainn, 2010). O'Higgins et al (2010) entrevistaram 31 adolescentes (16 rapazes e 15 moças) de 12 e 13 anos de idade, sobre suas percepções para saúde e para felicidade.…”

“…O'Higgins et al (2010) entrevistaram 31 adolescentes (16 rapazes e 15 moças) de 12 e 13 anos de idade, sobre suas percepções para saúde e para felicidade. A entrevista abordou a felicidade com questões como "o que te faz feliz?…”