Single-Item Happiness Measure Features Adequate Validity Among Adolescents

Frontiers in Psychology

Tania Gaspar¹  Roza Joffė-Luinienė²  Kastytis Šmigelskas³  Justė Lukoševičiūtė³  Judith Mabelis⁴  Geneviève Gariepy⁵ 

[1] CLISSIS, Psychology and Educational Sciences Institute, Universidade Lusíada, Lisbon, Portugal;Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania;Faculty of Public Health, Research Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania;Medical Research Council, Chief Scientist Office Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Glasgow, United Kingdom;Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, Canada;

关键词: happiness;    validity;    well-being;    health complaints;    bullying;    violence;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2022.884520

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHappiness is becoming increasingly relevant in recent research, including adolescents. Many studies are using the single-item measure for adolescent happiness, however, its validity is not well known. We aimed to examine the validity of this measure among adolescents in three countries from distinct European regions – Eastern (Lithuania), Southern (Portugal), and Western (Scotland).Materials and MethodsThe analysis included data from Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study from three countries and three last surveys (2009/10, 2013/14, and 2017/18). The total sample comprised 47,439 schoolchildren. For validity, the indicators reflecting subjective health, life satisfaction, quality of life, well-being, social support, health complaints, bullying, and self-directed violence were assessed. The calculations were conducted in the total sample and by gender, age, survey year, and country.ResultsThe different indicators of concurrent and convergent validity revealed consistent correlations with happiness, with better well-being, health, and subjective perceptions being related to higher happiness. Meanwhile, health complaints, bullying behaviors, and self-directed violence were related to lower happiness. The subgroup differences were consistent across gender, age groups, countries, and survey rounds. The extent of differences was more expressed among girls.ConclusionThe single item for adolescent happiness measurement features a consistent pattern of validity concerning indicators of concurrent and convergent validity. Higher self-reported happiness is associated with better mental and physical health and well-being, and less expressed negative factors (complaints, bullying, and self-directed violence). In addition, among girls the correlations tend to be stronger than boys.

【 授权许可】

Unknown