IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/chinre/v12y2019i6d10.1007_s12187-018-9618-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Notions of Life Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction in Children and Adolescents of Low Socioeconomic Status in Chile

Author

Listed:
  • Jaime Alfaro-Inzunza

    (Universidad del Desarollo)

  • Lorena Ramírez-Casas Del Valle

    (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Universidad Central de Chile)

  • Jorge J. Varela

    (Universidad del Desarollo)

Abstract

The study of subjective well-being in childhood and adolescence has had a recent and dynamic growth, however, there still exist few qualitative studies that contribute to getting to know about and discussing the sociocultural diversity of well-being, in particular those considering the socioeconomic belonging of the studied groups. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the notions of life satisfaction and dissatisfaction in children and adolescents between 10 and 14 years old, who belong to families of low socioeconomic status. For this, we used a qualitative methodology and qualitative techniques of 12 individual interviews and 6 group interviews, with a total of 52 children and adolescents. Thematic content analysis of emerging categories was carried out. The results indicate that the main and most relevant aspects of children’s and adolescents’ well-being are: the value of close and harmonious relationships; and feeling cared for, loved and supported by significant adults. In turn, they assess entertainment and playing with their friends as satisfactory. At school they value entertaining and participatory learning. It is also significant for them that they feel supported with their personal life projects and that they have opportunities for personal and family progress. Finally, it is noted that they attribute importance to social justice for all persons in situations of inequality or exclusion; and that they assess having clean and safe public spaces as satisfactory.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime Alfaro-Inzunza & Lorena Ramírez-Casas Del Valle & Jorge J. Varela, 2019. "Notions of Life Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction in Children and Adolescents of Low Socioeconomic Status in Chile," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(6), pages 1897-1913, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:12:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1007_s12187-018-9618-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-018-9618-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12187-018-9618-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12187-018-9618-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gina Crivello & Laura Camfield & Martin Woodhead, 2009. "How Can Children Tell Us About Their Wellbeing? Exploring the Potential of Participatory Research Approaches within Young Lives," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 90(1), pages 51-72, January.
    2. Carmel Proctor & P. Linley & John Maltby, 2009. "Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(5), pages 583-630, October.
    3. Julie Seligson & E. Huebner & Robert Valois, 2005. "An Investigation Of A Brief Life Satisfaction Scale With Elementary School Children," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 355-374, September.
    4. E. Huebner, 2004. "Research on Assessment of Life Satisfaction of Children and Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 3-33, April.
    5. Julie Seligson & E. Huebner & Robert Valois, 2003. "Preliminary Validation of the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS)," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 121-145, February.
    6. Runt Veenhoven, 2002. "Why Social Policy Needs Subjective Indicators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 33-46, June.
    7. Antonella Delle Fave & Ingrid Brdar & Teresa Freire & Dianne Vella-Brodrick & Marié Wissing, 2011. "The Eudaimonic and Hedonic Components of Happiness: Qualitative and Quantitative Findings," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 100(2), pages 185-207, January.
    8. Laura Camfield & Gina Crivello & Martin Woodhead, 2009. "Wellbeing Research in Developing Countries: Reviewing the Role of Qualitative Methods," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 90(1), pages 5-31, January.
    9. Toby Fattore & Jan Mason & Elizabeth Watson, 2007. "Children’s conceptualisation(s) of their well-being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 80(1), pages 5-29, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ditzel, Loreto & Casas, Ferran & Torres-Vallejos, Javier & Reyes, Fernando & Alfaro, Jaime, 2022. "Children participating in after-school programs in Chile: Subjective well-being, satisfaction with free time use and satisfaction with the program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    2. Loreto Ditzel & Ferran Casas & Javier Torres-Vallejos & Alejandra Villarroel, 2022. "The Subjective Well-Being of Chilean Children Living in Conditions of High Social Vulnerability," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(3), pages 1639-1660, June.
    3. Denise Oyarzún-Gómez & Julián Loaiza de la Pava, 2020. "Exploring Subjective Well-Being and School Sense of Community among High School Students through Photovoice," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(4), pages 1413-1437, August.
    4. Gisela Carrillo & Jaime Alfaro & Carolina Aspillaga & Lorena Ramírez-Casas del valle & Camila Inostroza & Alejandra Villarroel, 2021. "Well-Being from the Understanding of Children and Adolescents: a Qualitative Metasynthesis," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(4), pages 1677-1701, August.
    5. Alfaro, Jaime & Carrillo, Gisela & Aspillaga, Carolina & Villarroel, Alejandra & Varela, Jorge, 2023. "Well-being, school and age, from the understandings of Chilean children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    6. Esther Ariyo & Dimitri Mortelmans & Linda Campbell & Edwin Wouters, 2022. "The Wellbeing of Armed Conflict-Affected Children in School: A Qualitative Study," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(5), pages 1673-1691, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jorge J. Varela & Javier Guzmán & Jaime Alfaro & Fernando Reyes, 2019. "Bullying, Cyberbullying, Student Life Satisfaction and the Community of Chilean Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(3), pages 705-720, July.
    2. Jorge J. Varela & David Sirlopú & Roberto Melipillán & Dorothy Espelage & Jennifer Green & Javier Guzmán, 2019. "Exploring the Influence School Climate on the Relationship between School Violence and Adolescent Subjective Well-Being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(6), pages 2095-2110, December.
    3. Robert F. Valois & Jelani C. Kerr & Michael P. Carey & Larry K. Brown & Daniel Romer & Ralph J. DiClemente & Peter A. Vanable, 2020. "Neighborhood Stress and Life Satisfaction: Is there a Relationship for African American Adolescents?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(1), pages 273-296, March.
    4. Jaime Alfaro & Javier Guzmán & Catalina García & David Sirlopú & Fernando Reyes & Jorge Varela, 2016. "Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Personal Wellbeing Index-School Children (PWI-SC) in Chilean School Children," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 9(3), pages 731-742, September.
    5. Javier Guzmán & Jaime Alfaro & Jorge J. Varela, 2019. "Sense of Community and Life Satisfaction in Chilean Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(3), pages 589-601, July.
    6. Satish Kumar & Filomena Maggino & Raj V. Mahto & Riya Sureka & Leonardo Salvatore Alaimo & Weng Marc Lim, 2022. "Social Indicators Research: A Retrospective Using Bibliometric Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 162(1), pages 413-448, July.
    7. Suzanna J. Opree & Moniek Buijzen & Eva A. Van Reijmersdal, 2018. "Development and Validation of the Psychological Well-Being Scale for Children (PWB-c)," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, March.
    8. Mònica González-Carrasco & Ferran Casas & Sara Malo & Ferran Viñas & Tamar Dinisman, 2017. "Changes with Age in Subjective Well-Being Through the Adolescent Years: Differences by Gender," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 63-88, February.
    9. Miriam Raquel Wachholz Strelhow & Jorge Castellá Sarriera & Ferran Casas, 2020. "Evaluation of Well-Being in Adolescence: Proposal of an Integrative Model with Hedonic and Eudemonic Aspects," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(4), pages 1439-1452, August.
    10. Silvia Exenberger & Stefanie Reiber, 2020. "The Significance of Time, Place and Traumatic Experience on at-Risk Youths’ View of their Well-Being: A Preliminary Study," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(6), pages 2157-2180, December.
    11. Gisela Carrillo & Jaime Alfaro & Carolina Aspillaga & Lorena Ramírez-Casas del valle & Camila Inostroza & Alejandra Villarroel, 2021. "Well-Being from the Understanding of Children and Adolescents: a Qualitative Metasynthesis," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(4), pages 1677-1701, August.
    12. Haridhan Goswami & Christopher Fox & Gary Pollock, 2016. "The Current Evidence Base and Future Needs in Improving Children’s Well-Being Across Europe: is There a Case for a Comparative Longitudinal Survey?," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 9(2), pages 371-388, June.
    13. Daniel Shek & Ting Liu, 2014. "Life Satisfaction in Junior Secondary School Students in Hong Kong: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(3), pages 777-794, July.
    14. Constanza González & Jorge Varela & Paulina A. Sánchez & Francisca Venegas & Pablo Tezanos-Pinto, 2021. "Students’ Participation in School and its Relationship with Antisocial Behavior, Academic Performance and Adolescent Well-Being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(1), pages 269-282, February.
    15. Maja Tadić Vujčić & Andreja Brajša-Žganec & Renata Franc, 2019. "Children and Young Peoples’ Views on Well-Being: A Qualitative Study," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(3), pages 791-819, June.
    16. Jorge J. Varela & Shazly Savahl & Sabirah Adams & Fernando Reyes, 2020. "Examining the Relationship Among Bullying, School Climate and Adolescent Well-Being in Chile and South Africa: a Cross Cultural Comparison," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(3), pages 819-838, June.
    17. Carmel Proctor & P. Linley & John Maltby, 2009. "Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(5), pages 583-630, October.
    18. Silvia Exenberger & Raphaela Banzer & Jayakumar Christy & Stefan Höfer & Barbara Juen, 2019. "Eastern and Western Children’s Voices on their Well-Being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(3), pages 747-768, June.
    19. R. M. Tomlinson & L. Keyfitz & J. S. Rawana & M. N. Lumley, 2017. "Unique Contributions of Positive Schemas for Understanding Child and Adolescent Life Satisfaction and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(5), pages 1255-1274, October.
    20. Janette McDougall & Virginia Wright & Megan Nichols & Linda Miller, 2013. "Assessing the Psychometric Properties of Both a Global and a Domain-Specific Perceived Quality of Life Measure When Used with Youth Who Have Chronic Conditions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1243-1257, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:12:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1007_s12187-018-9618-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.