Structural Equation Model for the Subjective Happiness of Adolescents : Focused on Perceived Stress, Activities and Practices

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the relationships among the levels of perceived stress, dietary behaviors, physical exercise, drinking, smoking, and relief from fatigue through sleep which affect the subjective happiness in adolescents. Based on the study findings, this paper proposes the basic data required for offering practical solutions to improve the subjective happiness of adolescents. IBM SPSS 20 and AMOS 23 were used to conduct frequency and descriptive analyses, in conjunction with Pearson's correlation coefficients, the AMOS bootstrapping method and phantom variables, for the raw data obtained from the 9,599 participants included in the 11th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Those factors having a direct effect on the subjective happiness of the adolescents were the level of perceived stress, relief from fatigue through sleep, physical exercise, dietary behavior and smoking. Perceived stress had an indirect effect on subjective happiness, and the analysis of the indirect effect and significance level of multiple mediators by means of phantom variables showed that, as well as perceived stress, relief from fatigue through sleep, physical exercise, dietary behaviors, and smoking also had indirect effects on subjective happiness. Consequently, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to optimize the subjective happiness in adolescents and financial support for environmental improvements is particularly necessary.

Perfect people, happier lives? When the quest for perfection compromises happiness: the roles played by substance use and internet addiction

“…Moreover, it seems that students who smoke and drink might be more prone to engage in addictive Internet use. These outcomes align with previous findings suggesting that health-risk behaviors (e.g., drinking) are generally negatively associated with subjective happiness among youth ( 86 , 87 ). More importantly, these results highlight the need to assess and intervene when health-risk behaviors, such as drinking, smoking, and Internet addictive behavioral patterns emerge among students due to the various adverse negative consequences on their mental and physical health.…”