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A Multi-Informant Study of Strengths, Positive Self-Schemas and Subjective Well-Being from Childhood to Adolescence

Author

Listed:
  • Kathlyn M. Cherry

    (University of Guelph)

  • Brae Anne McArthur

    (Temple University)

  • Margaret N. Lumley

    (University of Guelph)

Abstract

The parent–child relationship is important for promoting strengths and well-being for youth. Despite this, empirical research examining how parents influence youths’ strengths and well-being has lagged. The current study extends this limited research by examining whether parental perceptions of youths’ strengths as rated by the parent are indirectly related to youths’ well-being by way of youths’ self-reported strengths. Additionally, the study explored associations of youths’ positive self-schemas (reflecting a different positive construct of youths’ self) with these constructs. To date, research on youths’ strengths, self-schemas, and well-being has operated within disparate fields of inquiry, and there has yet to be an empirical investigation examining if specific strengths and self-schemas are related, and their unique associations with youths’ well-being. Participants were 281 youth (57% female; M = 13.36 years, SD = 2.18; 68.6% Caucasian) and their parent. Findings support that parental views of youths’ strengths are indirectly related to youths’ happiness and life satisfaction via youths’ own self-perceived strengths. Relations also emerged between parental perceptions of strengths, youths’ self-reported strengths and self-schemas, and youths’ well-being. Further, specific strength and self-schema themes had unique relations with youths’ happiness and life satisfaction. This study provides empirical support for the relations between youths’ strengths, self-schemas, and well-being, which may advance theoretical models of positive youth development.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathlyn M. Cherry & Brae Anne McArthur & Margaret N. Lumley, 2020. "A Multi-Informant Study of Strengths, Positive Self-Schemas and Subjective Well-Being from Childhood to Adolescence," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2169-2191, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00171-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00171-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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