Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Teachers’ assessments of children aged eight predict life satisfaction in adolescence

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 26 March 2013

Abstract

The objective was to investigate how teachers’ assessments of children predict life satisfaction in adolescence. This is a prospective cohort study on the population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 8,959). Information was gathered from parents, teachers and adolescents using questionnaires at the age of 7, 8 and 15. Response rates were 80–90%. Emotional and behavioural problems were assessed with Rutter Children’s Behavioural Questionnaires for teachers (RB2) and parents (RA2) during the first grade at age 8. At adolescence, self-reported life satisfaction was measured with a question including five response alternatives. According to teachers’ assessments, 13.9% of the children had high emotional or behavioural problems (RB2 ≥9). These assessments predicted life dissatisfaction in adolescence (ORcrude = 1.77; 95% CI 1.43–2.20) in several models including also health behaviour and use of psychotropic medicine. However, introducing all the significant variables in the same model, RB2 lost its significance (OR = 1.28; 0.96–1.70), but good school achievement assessed by teachers was still a significant predictor. Life satisfaction in adolescence was associated with a variety of favourable concurrent factors. In conclusion teachers’ assessments of children during the first school year predicted life satisfaction in adolescence. In mental health promotion, teachers’ early assessments should be utilized for the benefit of children.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Vaillant G (2003) Mental health. Am J Psychiatry 160:1373–1384

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Rutz W (2006) Social psychiatry and public mental health: present situation and future objectives. Time for rethinking and renaissance? Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 429:95–100

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. WHO (2007) Mental health: strengthening mental health promotion. Fact sheet No 220, September 2007

  4. Headley B-W, Kelley J, Wearing AJ (1993) Dimensions of mental health: life satisfaction, positive affect, anxiety and depression. Soc Indic Res 29:63–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bray I, Gunnell D (2006) Suicide rates, life satisfaction and happiness as markers for population mental health. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 41:333–337

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Diener E, Suh EM, Lucas RE, Smith HL (1999) Subjective well-being three decades of progress. Psychol Bull 125:276–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Pavot W, Diener E (2008) The satisfaction with life and the merging construct of life satisfaction. J Positive Psychol 3:137–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Danner DD, Snowdon DA, Friesen WV (2001) Positive emotions in early life and longevity: findings from nun study. J Pers Soc Psychol 80:804–813

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Koivumaa-Honkanen HT (1998) Life satisfaction as a health predictor. Kuopio University Publications D. Medical Sciences 143. Kuopio

  10. Koivumaa-Honkanen H, Koskenvuo M, Honkanen R, Viinamäki H, Heikkilä K, Kaprio J (2004) Life dissatisfaction and subsequent work disability in an 11-year follow-up. Psychol Med 34:221–228

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Koivumaa-Honkanen H, Honkanen R, Viinamäki, Heikkilä K, Kaprio J, Koskenvuo M (2000) Self-reported life satisfaction and 20-year mortality in healthy Finnish adults. Am J Epidemiol 152:983–991

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Koivumaa-Honkanen H, Honkanen R, Viinamäki H, Heikkilä K, Kaprio J, Koskenvuo M (2001) Life satisfaction and suicide: a 20-year follow-up study. Am J Psychiatry 158:433–439

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Koivumaa-Honkanen H, Honkanen R, Koskenvuo M, Viinamäki H, Kaprio J (2002) Life dissatisfaction as a predictor of fatal injury in a 20-year follow-up. Acta Psychiatr Scand 105:444–450

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ostir GV, Markides KS, Black SA, Goodwin JS (2000) Emotional well-being predicts subsequent functional independence and survival. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:473–478

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Steptoe A, Wardle J, Marmot M (2005) Positive affect and health-related neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and inflammatory processes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102:6508–6512

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Xu J, Roberts RE (2010) The power of positive emotions: It’s a matter of life or death—Subjective well-being and longevity over 28 years in a general population. Health Psychol 29:9–19

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Gilman R, Huebner ES (2003) A review of life satisfaction research with children and adolescents. Sch Psychol Q 18:192–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Proctor CL, Linley PA, Maltby J (2009) Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature. J Happiness Stud 10:583–630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Koivumaa-Honkanen H, Tuovinen TK, Honkalampi K, Antikainen R, Hintikka J, Haatainen K, Viinamäki H (2008) Mental health and well-being in a 6-year follow-up of patients with depression assessed by patients and clinicians. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 43:688–696

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Lyubomirsky S, King L, Diener E (2005) The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychol Bull 131:803–855

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Zimmerman M, McGlinchey JB, Posternak MA, Friedman M, Attiullah N, Boerescu D (2006) How should remission from depression be defined? The depressed patient’s perspective. Am J Psychiatry 163:148–150

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Jormfeldt H (2010) Attitudes towards health among patients and staff in mental health services: a comparison of ratings of importance of different items on health. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 45:225–231

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Huebner ES (2004) Research on assessment of life satisfaction of children and adolescents. Soc Indic Res 66:3–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Leung JP, Leung K (1992) Life satisfaction, self-concept and relationship with parents in adolescence. J Youth Adolesc 21:653–665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ma CQ, Huebner ES (2008) Attachment relationships and adolescents’ life satisfaction: some relationships matter more to girls than boys. Psychol Sch 45:177–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Ben-Zur H (2003) Happy adolescents: the link between subjective well-being, internal resources, and parental factors. J Youth Adolesc 32:67–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Powdthavee N, Vignoles A (2008) Mental health of parents and life satisfaction of children: A family analysis of intergenerational transmission of well-being. Soc Indic Res 88:397–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Flouri E, Buchanan A (2002) Life satisfaction in teenage boys: the moderating role of father involvement and bullying. Aggress Behavior 28:126–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Kwan YK (2008) Life satisfaction and family structure among adolescent in Hong Kong. Soc Indic Res 86:59–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. McCullough G, Huebner ES, Laughlin JE (2000) Life events, self-concept and adolescents’ positive subjective well-being. Psychol Sch 37:281–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Rigby BT, Huebner ES (2005) Do causal attributions mediate the relationship between personality characteristics and life satisfaction in adolescence? Psychol Sch 42:91–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Konu AI, Lintonen TP, Rimpelä M (2002) Factors associated with school children’s general subjective well-being. Health Educ Res 17:155–165

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Huebner ES, Drane W, Valois RF (2000) Levels and demographic correlates of adolescent life satisfaction reports. Sch Psychol Int 21:281–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Sourander A, Haavisto A, Ronning JA et al (2005) Recognition of psychiatric disorders, and self-perceived problems. A follow-up study from age 8 t age 18. J Child Psychol Psychiatry All Discipl 46:1124–1134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Sourander A, Multimäki P, Nikolakaros G et al (2005) Childhood predictors of psychiatric disorders among boys: A prospective community-based follow-up study from age 8 years to early adulthood. J AM Acad Child Adoslesc Psychiatry 44:756–767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Sourander A, Helstelä L (2005) Childhood predictors of externalizing and internalizing problems in adolescence. A prospective follow-up study from age 8 to 16. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 14:415–423

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Dwyer SB, Nicholson JM, Battistutta D (2006) Parent and teacher identification of children at risk of developing internalizing or externalizing mental health problems: a comparison of screening methods. Prev Science 7:343–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Verhulst FC, Dekker MC, van der Ende J (1997) Parent, teacher and self-reports as predictors of signs of disturbance in adolescents: whose information carries the most weight? Acta Psychiatrica Scand 96:75–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Antaramian SP, Huebner ES, Valois RF (2008) Adolescent life satisfaction. Appl Psychol: Int Rev 57:112–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. van Wel F, Linssen H, Abma R (2000) The parental bond and the well-being of adolescent and young adults. J Youth Adolesc 29:307–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Mcknight CG, Huebner ES, Suldo S (2002) Relationships among stressful life events, temperament, problem behavior, and global life satisfaction in adolescents. Psychol Sch 39:677–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Natvig GK, Albrektsen G, Qvarnstrøm U (2003) Associations between psychosocial factors and happiness among school adolescents. Int J Nurs Pract 9:166–175

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Taanila A, Hurtig T, Miettunen J, Ebeling H, Moilanen I (2009) Association between ADHD symptoms and adolescents’ psychosocial well-being: a study of the northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. Int J Circumpolar health 68:133–144

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Valois RF, Zullig KJ, Huebner ES, Drane JW (2001) Relationship between life satisfaction and violent behaviors among adolescents. Am J Health Behav 25:353–366

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Huebner ES, Seligson JL, Valois RF, Suldo SM (2006) A review of the brief multidimensional student’s life satisfaction scale. Soc Indic Res 79:477–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Järvelin MR, Hartikainen-Sorri AL, Rantakallio P (1993) Labour induction policy in hospitals of different levels of specialisation. Br J Obstetr Gynaecol 100:310–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Rutter M (1967) A children’s behaviour questionnaire for completion by teachers: preliminary findings. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 8:1–11

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Elander J, Rutter M (1996) Use and development of the Rutter Parents’ and Teachers’ Scales. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 6:63–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Kresanov K, Tuominen J, Piha J, Almqvist F (1998) Validity of child psychiatric screening methods. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 7:85–95

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Sourander A, Pihlakoski L, Aromaa M, Rautava P, Helenius H, Sillanpää M (2006) Early predictors of parent- and self-reported perceived global psychological difficulties among adolescents. A prospective cohort study from age 3 to age 15. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 41:173–182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Almqvist F, Kumpulainen K, Ikäheimo K et al (1999) Behavioural and emotional symptoms in 8–9-year-old children. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 8:7–16

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Sourander A, Santalahti P, Haavisto A, Piha J, Ikäheimo K, Helenius H (2004) Have There Been Changes in Children’s Psychiatric Symptoms and Mental Health Service Use? A 10-Year Comparison From Finland. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 43:1134–1145

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Sourander A, Niemelä S, Santalahti P, Helenius H, Piha J (2008) Changes in psychiatric problems and service use among 8-year-old children: a 16-year population-based time-trend study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 47:317–327

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Brown J, Wissow L, Gadomski A, Zachary C, Bartlett E, Horn I (2006) Parent and teacher mental health ratings of children using primary care services: inter-rater agreement and implications for mental health screening. Ambul Pediatr 6:347–351

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Sourander A, Multimäki P, Santalahti P et al (2004) Mental health service use among 18-year old adolescent boys. A prospective 10-year follow-up study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 43:1250–1258

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Puura K, Tamminen T, Bredenberg P et al (1995) Psychiatric disturbances in children in the catchment area of Tampere University Hospital. Psychiatrica Fennica 26:173–185

    Google Scholar 

  57. Kumpulainen K, Räsänen E, Henttonen I et al (1999) Psychiatric disorders, performance level at school and special education at early elementary school age. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 8:5048–5054

    Google Scholar 

  58. Prior M, Smart D, Sanson A, Oberklaid F (1999) Relationship between learning difficulties and psychological problems in preadolescent children from a longitudinal sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 38:429–436

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Rothon C, Head J, Clark C, Klineberg E, Cattell V, Stansfeld S (2009) The impact of psychological distress on the educational achievement of adolescents at the end of compulsory education. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 44:421–427

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Idler EL, Benyamini Y (1997) Self-rated health and mortality: A review of twenty-seven community studies. J Health Soc Behav 38:21–37

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Singley D (2005) Longitudinal Prediction of domain satisfaction and global life satisfaction: test of social cognitive model. Dissertation, University of Maryland

  62. Kemmler G, Holzner B, Neudorfer C, Meise U, Hinterhuber H (1997) General life satisfaction and domain specific quality of life in chronic schizophrenia patients. Qual Life Res 6:265–273

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Veenhoven R (1984) Conditions of happiness. Boston, MA:D. Reidel Publishing Company, pp 1–38

  64. Veenhoven R (1988) The utility of happiness. Soc Indic Res 20:333–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by The Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation (Mäki P and Ebeling H).

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, Hautalahdenkatu 10 B, 70820, Kuopio, Savonlinna, Finland

    Honkanen Meri

  2. Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Hurtig Tuula & Taanila Anja

  3. Department of Child Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Hurtig Tuula, Moilanen Irma & Ebeling Hanna

  4. Unit of General Practice, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland

    Taanila Anja

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

    Koponen Hannu

  6. Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Mäki Pirjo, Veijola Juha & Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli

  7. Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland

    Mäki Pirjo

  8. Department of Child Psychiatry, Southern Savo Hospital District, Mikkeli, Finland

    Puustjärvi Anita

  9. Department of Child Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland

    Ebeling Hanna

  10. Department of Psychiatry, Lapland Hospital District, Muurola, Finland

    Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli

  11. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland

    Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli

Authors
  1. Honkanen Meri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hurtig Tuula
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Taanila Anja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Moilanen Irma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Koponen Hannu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mäki Pirjo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Veijola Juha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Puustjärvi Anita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Ebeling Hanna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Honkanen Meri.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00787-013-0403-0.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meri, H., Tuula, H., Anja, T. et al. Teachers’ assessments of children aged eight predict life satisfaction in adolescence. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 20, 469–479 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-011-0200-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-011-0200-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation