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Temporal trends and determinants of children’s subjective well-being across 20 countries: a multilevel analysis from the international survey of children’s well-being

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  • Jiang, Shan
  • Zhao, Shuangqi

Abstract

This study investigates temporal trends and multilevel determinants of children’s subjective well-being (SWB) across 20 countries using data from Waves 3 (2016–2019) and 4 (2020–2022) of the International Survey of Children’s Well-Being (ISCWeB). Focusing on five dimensions—positive affect, negative affect, overall life satisfaction, general SWB, and domain-based SWB—the analysis of 127,669 children aged 9 to 15 reveals consistent international declines in positive well-being and increases in negative affect, with notable country variation. Micro-level factors such as family relationships, peer support, school climate, and material deprivation strongly predicted SWB, while macro-level factors like GDP, income inequality, government education expenditure, and cultural individualism showed mixed effects across dimensions. Interaction analyses highlighted how the effects of bullying, deprivation, and gender on SWB evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the importance of multidimensional, cross-national, and longitudinal perspectives in understanding children’s well-being and inform targeted policy for child development across diverse sociocultural contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiang, Shan & Zhao, Shuangqi, 2026. "Temporal trends and determinants of children’s subjective well-being across 20 countries: a multilevel analysis from the international survey of children’s well-being," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:186:y:2026:i:c:s0190740926002525
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108999
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