Individual and Family Factors and Adolescent Well-Being: A Multi-Level Analysis

Abstract

What are the effects on adolescent well-being of positive and negative experiences in both the vocational and relationship careers of youngsters and their parents? Data from the Dutch national panel study Utrecht Study of Adolescent Development (USAD) were used; this is a study of developmental processes as they occur in the life course of young people during the 1990s. A quarter of the total variance of the variable adolescent wellbeing is found at family level. Individual vocational and relationship factors appear to have significant long-term effects on adolescent well-being. The same holds true for relationship problems in the family, especially for girls. Vocational family factors and parents' personal characteristics are not important as predictors of adolescent well-being.Keywords: adolescents, well-being, positive and negative experiences, individual and family factors, vocational and relationship careers, parents. Do vocational and relationship stressors affect the well-being of youngsters aged between 15 and 24 years? Moreover, what are the effects of significant parental experiences in these domains on their children's well-being? Well-being is a basic characteristic of individuals which takes shape in the family in which children grow up and which is affected by the way in which the parents communicate with their children. In adolescence it is not only parents but also peers who become more and more important as a reference group. Parental social support seems to have a weaker effect especially on the domain of relationships. However, parental social

Developmental risks and psychosocial adjustment among low-income Brazilian youth

“…The present study included measures of family, economic, and community risk factors comparable to those examined in prior research. Family risk factors identified in prior research include parental divorce and conflict (Forehand et al, 1998), education level (DeGoede, Sprujit, & Maas, 1999), and physical and sexual abuse (Margolin & Gordis, 2000). Economic risk factors include parental unemployment (DeGoede et al, 1999).…”

“…Family risk factors identified in prior research include parental divorce and conflict (Forehand et al, 1998), education level (DeGoede, Sprujit, & Maas, 1999), and physical and sexual abuse (Margolin & Gordis, 2000). Economic risk factors include parental unemployment (DeGoede et al, 1999). The most studied community risk is violence, which has been linked to psychological and behavioral outcomes among young people in the United States (GorhamSmith & Tolan, 1998;Schwab-Stone et al, 1995).…”

Perceived Parent–Child Relations and Adolescent Self-Esteem

“…Well-being is a fundamental characteristic that may not only be developed within the family, but affected by the ways in which parents interact with their children (DeGoede et al 1999). Measures of parental involvement are positively linked to several child outcomes, including better academic achievement, fewer behavior problems, and less depression and anxiety (Safford et al 2007;Zick et al 2001).…”

Bem-estar subjetivo: um estudo com adolescentes trabalhadores

“…No Brasil, jovens desempregados apresentam menores níveis de saúde e auto-estima que aqueles empregados ou somente estudantes (Sarriera, 1993), sendo o desemprego considerado um importante preditor de baixos níveis de bem-estar (Diener, 1984) também entre adolescentes (Goede, Sprulit & Maas, 1999;Sarriera, Berlim, Verdin & Câmara, 2000). Alguns autores indicam que, embora o trabalho juvenil seja, muitas vezes, prejudicial, é ele que está dando aos sujeitos status social (Hansen & Jarvis, 2000) e o reconhecimento como agentes produtivos (Bonamigo, 1996).…”