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Happy Moments between Children and Their Parents: A Multi-method and Multi-informant Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Flavia Izzo

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Edoardo Saija

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Susanna Pallini

    (University of Roma Tre)

  • Salvatore Ioverno

    (University of Roma Tre)

  • Roberto Baiocco

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Jessica Pistella

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

Abstract

Research interest in children’s happiness has increasingly grown in recent years. Studies of children’s happiness have shown that happiness promotes greater social and emotional well-being during childhood. The present study explores the different perspectives of children and their parents on happy moments spent together, examining potential discrepancies in points of view. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 154 children (6–13 years old: Mage=8.72, SD = 2.00; 57% girls), their mothers (Mage=42.30, SD = 4.50), and their fathers (Mage=45.47, SD = 5.42). Children were asked to indicate their level of happiness using a single item and to recount their happy moments spent with their fathers and mothers. Parents were asked to evaluate their children’s happiness and to identify what they thought was the happiest moment their children had experienced with them. The data was analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Six main themes related to children’s happy moments emerged from the transcripts: (1) Activities outside the home; (2) Shared activities between parents and children; (3) Happy moments of play between parents and children; (4) Parent-child moments of affection; (5) Relevance of material gifts; (6) Non-specified happy moments. Emotional interactions characterized the happiest moments reported with mothers, while those with fathers were more frequently playful and fun situations. Results showed that parents and children disagree on children’s happiness levels and tend to identify different episodes as the happiest moments spent together. The study examined parent-child interactions in the context of family happiness, considering the protective role of a child’s happiness against negative psychological symptoms. It aimed to identify components of happier moments as potential indicators of family well-being, given the family’s role in psychological development.

Suggested Citation

  • Flavia Izzo & Edoardo Saija & Susanna Pallini & Salvatore Ioverno & Roberto Baiocco & Jessica Pistella, 2024. "Happy Moments between Children and Their Parents: A Multi-method and Multi-informant Perspective," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:25:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-024-00735-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00735-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Flavia Izzo & Edoardo Saija & Susanna Pallini & Salvatore Ioverno & Roberto Baiocco & Jessica Pistella, 2024. "The Sources of Happiness in Preadolescence and Adolescence: A Multi-Method and Multi-Informant Perspective," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 17(3), pages 953-983, June.
    2. Edoardo Saija & Susanna Pallini & Roberto Baiocco & Jessica Pistella & Salvatore Ioverno, 2025. "Sharing, Comforting, and Helping in Middle Childhood: An Explorative Multimethod Study," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 18(1), pages 401-421, February.

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