Life satisfaction decreases during adolescence.

Goldbeck, L; Schmitz, TG; Besier, T; Herschbach, P; Henrich, G

doi:10.1007/s11136-007-9205-5

journal article

Title:: Life satisfaction decreases during adolescence.
Document type:: Journal Article
Author(s):: Goldbeck, L; Schmitz, TG; Besier, T; Herschbach, P; Henrich, G
Abstract:: OBJECTIVE: Adolescence is a developmental phase associated with significant somatic and psychosocial changes. So far there are few studies on developmental aspects of life satisfaction. This cross-sectional study examines the effects of age and gender on adolescent's life satisfaction. METHODS: 1,274 German adolescents (aged 11-16 years) participated in a school-based survey study. They completed the adolescent version of the Questions on Life Satisfaction (FLZ(M) - Fragen zur Lebenszufriedenheit), a multidimensional instrument measuring the subjective importance and satisfaction with eight domains of general and eight domains of health-related life satisfaction. Effects of gender and age were analysed using ANOVAs. RESULTS: Girls reported significantly lower general (F = 5.0; p = .025) and health-related life satisfaction (F = 25.3; p < .001) compared to boys. In both genders and across nearly all life domains, there was a significant decrease in general (F = 14.8; p < .001) and health-related life satisfaction (F = 8.0; p < .001) between 11 and 16 years. Satisfaction with friends remained on a high level, whereas satisfaction with family relations decreased. Only satisfaction with partnership/sexuality increased slightly, however this effect cannot compensate the general loss of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing life satisfaction has to be considered as a developmental phenomenon. Associations with the increasing prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation during adolescence are discussed. Life satisfaction should be considered a relevant aspect of adolescent's well-being and functioning.
Journal title abbreviation:: Qual. Life Res.
Year:: 2007
Journal volume:: 16
Journal issue:: 6
Pages contribution:: 969-79
Language:: eng
Fulltext / DOI:: doi:10.1007/s11136-007-9205-5
Pubmed ID:: http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17440827
Print-ISSN:: 0962-9343
TUM Institution:: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie
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mediaTUM Gesamtbestand Einrichtungen Schools TUM School of Medicine and Health Departments Clinical Medicine Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie (Prof. Henningsen)2007