Satisfaction with life in Czech children as an important factor affecting health

Abstract

The target of the study was to determine the measure of the satisfaction with life, subjectively perceived health condition and feelings of happiness in Czech children and to consider the results obtained as related to the site of dwelling, age and gender. The target population for the research were Czech children aged 11, 13 and 15 years. The data were obtained from the total number of 5711 children: 1817 children, i.e. 31.8 %, aged 11 years; 1952 children, i.e. 34.2 %, aged 13 years; and 1942 children, i.e. 34 %, aged 15 years. By gender, the group included 2882 boys (50.5 %) and 2829 girls (49.5 %). The data accumulation was implemented within the scope of the research examination of the World Health Organization international study "The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children: A WHO Cross-National Study" (HBSC). The analysis of the satisfaction with the life was implemented with the help of the Cantril index. A high proportion of Czech children (80.6 %) states index of 6 and above on the scale of the satisfaction with life. A great majority of children (88 %) evaluates their health condition as excellent or good and more than 80% children feel happy. We considered statistically significant associations between the factors followed, age and gender of children and we demonstrated no association with the site of dwelling. Compared with results obtained in 2002, the measure of the satisfaction with the life decreased in children, particularly in children aged 11 years and in respondents of female gender.