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Elementary School Students’ Subjective Well-Being Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study

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  • Ricarda Steinmayr

    (TU Dortmund)

  • Patrick Paschke

    (TU Dortmund)

  • Linda Wirthwein

    (TU Dortmund)

Abstract

First empirical results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on adolescents’ and adults’ subjective well-being. In the present study we focus on the subjective well-being of elementary school children before and after the first pandemic-related school lockdown and examine if possible declines in subjective well-being are especially pronounced for some groups, considering socio-economic status, migration background, and gender as moderators. We tested N = 425 elementary school students (mean age: M = 8.19; SD = 1.04) longitudinally with four measurement points (three before the school lockdown and one after) regarding their general life satisfaction, mood, and domain satisfaction regarding peers, family, and school. Piecewise growth curve models revealed a significant decline in positive mood and in satisfaction with the family. Decline in life satisfaction and satisfaction with peers nearly missed significance. The investigated moderators had no impact on the changes in subjective well-being. We conclude that the pandemic had detrimental effects on young children’s subjective well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricarda Steinmayr & Patrick Paschke & Linda Wirthwein, 2022. "Elementary School Students’ Subjective Well-Being Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2985-3005, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:23:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00537-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00537-y
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jasper Dhoore & Bram Spruyt & Jessy Siongers, 2024. "Locked Down: The Gendered Impact of Social Support on Children’s Well-Being Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(1), pages 367-394, February.
    3. Ihsana Sabriani Borualogo & Ferran Casas, 2023. "Sibling Bullying, School Bullying, and Children’s Subjective Well-Being Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 1203-1232, June.
    4. Rui Zhang & Lin-Xin Wang & Jesus Alfonso D. Datu & Yue Liang & Kai Dou & Yan-Gang Nie & Jian-Bin Li, 2023. "High Qualities of Relationships with Parents and Teachers Contribute to the Development of Adolescent Life Satisfaction Through Resilience: A Three-Wave Prospective Longitudinal Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1339-1365, April.
    5. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Alexandra Sandu & Chris Taylor & Jennifer May Hampton, 2024. "Children’s Subjective Well-Being During the Coronavirus Pandemic," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(1), pages 309-347, February.

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