Abstract
This chapter addresses assessment and intervention practices related to children’s quality of life, especially their perceived quality of life or life satisfaction (LS). Following a brief discussion of measurement issues, a model for more comprehensive assessments of children’s LS is presented. Research on key determinants of individual differences in children’s LS is subsequently reviewed. Finally, examples of universal (e.g., school wide) interventions are described in relation to the empirically established determinants of LS. The need for more comprehensive assessments and targeted intervention programs across primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention contexts, is emphasized throughout the chapter.
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Appendix 3.1
Appendix 3.1
Psychosocial correlates of lower levels of global life satisfaction
Correlates | |
---|---|
Family | Socioeconomic status |
Non-intact family structure | |
Low parental involvement | |
Low parental emotional support | |
Low parental autonomy support | |
Low parental monitoring/supervision | |
Low parent attachment/trust | |
Parent conflict | |
Peers | Low quality of peer relationships |
Low quantity of friends | |
Bullying/overt victimization | |
Bullying/relational victimization | |
Loneliness | |
School | Low school grades |
Low academic self-concept | |
Low school attachment/connectedness | |
School dropout | |
Low school engagement behavior | |
Negative teacher-student relations | |
Low parental involvement | |
Living environment/community | Residential moves |
Low extracurricular activity participation | |
Non-residential neighborhood location/characteristics | |
Absence of non-parental adult role models | |
Victim of violent behavior | |
Self | Externalizing/antisocial behavior |
Internalizing behaviors (suicidal ideation, depression) | |
Risk behavior (e.g., drug use, risky sex behavior) | |
Low self-esteem | |
Low hope | |
Low self-efficacy | |
External locus of control | |
Low religious behavior (attendance) | |
Low volunteering behavior | |
Low spirituality | |
Few character strengths | |
Maladaptive attributions |
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Huebner, E.S., Hills, K.J., Jiang, X. (2013). Assessment and Promotion of Life Satisfaction in Youth. In: Proctor, C., Linley, P. (eds) Research, Applications, and Interventions for Children and Adolescents. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6398-2_3
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