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Differences in Subjective and Psychological Well-Being of Romanian Adolescents over a Four-Year Period and its Relationship with Free Time

Author

Listed:
  • Claudia Tejada-Gallardo

    (Universitat de Lleida)

  • Sergiu Bălţătescu

    (University of Oradea)

  • Carles Alsinet

    (Universitat de Lleida)

  • Claudia Bacter

    (University of Oradea)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore changes in subjective well-being (life satisfaction and positive affect), as well as psychological well-being among Romanian adolescents over a 4-year period using data from the Children’s Worlds project (Waves 2 and 3). Participants were 12-year-olds (N = 1,504 in 2015; N = 1,145 in 2019). The findings indicated a decline in positive affect and psychological prosperity with the passage of time, while life satisfaction remained constant. To investigate factors influencing the decline, we examined the relationships between well-being and the amount of time adolescents spent in their free time (leisure and duties), as well as their satisfaction with their free time. Leisure activities predicted both well-being measures over time. Duties predicted subjective well-being at both waves but only predicted psychological well-being in Wave 3. Satisfaction with free time predicted both well-being approaches only in Wave 3. The findings suggest that factors related to free time do not contribute to declines in well-being, as they show positive associations with subjective and psychological well-being. The declines likely stem from other unexplored variables, underscoring the need for additional research on contributors to the well-being of Romanian adolescents, particularly following disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Tejada-Gallardo & Sergiu Bălţătescu & Carles Alsinet & Claudia Bacter, 2024. "Differences in Subjective and Psychological Well-Being of Romanian Adolescents over a Four-Year Period and its Relationship with Free Time," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(3), pages 985-999, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:17:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s12187-024-10114-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-024-10114-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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    5. Claudia Bacter & Sergiu Bălṭătescu & Cristiana Marc & Sorana Săveanu & Raluca Buhaṣ, 2021. "Correlates of Preadolescent Emotional Health in 18 Countries. A Study Using Children’s Words Data," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(4), pages 1703-1722, August.
    6. Bradshaw, Jonathan & Keung, Antonia & Rees, Gwyther & Goswami, Haridhan, 2011. "Children's subjective well-being: International comparative perspectives," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 548-556, April.
    7. Fabiane Friedrich Schutz & Jorge Castellá Sarriera & Lívia Maria Bedin, 2022. "Subjective Well-being of Brazilian Children Over Time: Comparing Children’s Worlds 1st and 3rd Wave of 10 and 12-year-olds Samples," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(2), pages 433-446, April.
    8. Ferran Casas & Mònica González-Carrasco, 2021. "Analysing Comparability of Four Multi-Item Well-being Psychometric Scales Among 35 Countries Using Children’s Worlds 3rd Wave 10 and 12-year-olds Samples," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(5), pages 1829-1861, October.
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