Why Study Children’s and Adult’s Well-Being, Including Their Happiness?

Across continents and cultures, adults desire high levels of happiness for their children. However, until recently research has not focused on well-being, including happiness, especially in children. Nonetheless, the research literature has clearly demonstrated, at least in adults, that positive subjective well-being is associated with a wide array of highly desirable outcomes in adults. These include improved health, greater creativity, increased facial recognition and attention, more productivity and success in one’s career, better social relationships, higher levels of hope, and more resilience and post-traumatic growth. The capacity to be happy and satisfied with one’s life is viewed by some as a critical life skill required for achieving good mental health.

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