Abstract
Purpose
Subjective wellbeing (SWB) is a significant contributor to quality of life and overall wellbeing in childhood through adulthood. However, less is known about the modifiable factors that support SWB among urban children. This study explored the association between socio-ecological factors (family, peers, and neighborhood) and child SWB.
Method
A convenience sample of 69 students were recruited from the 3rd (n = 40) and 5th (n = 29) grades at two urban elementary schools in a mid-Atlantic state. The average age for participants was 9.32 (SD = 1.33) and most of the sample identified as female (60.9%). We expected that better perceived family and peer relationships, and neighborhood quality would be positively associated with higher child SWB. Regression analyses were conducted by SWB outcome, which included global and domain-specific life satisfaction (i.e., personal wellbeing), and core affect.
Results
Study findings indicated that family relationships were positively associated with overall life satisfaction and personal wellbeing. Neighborhood quality was also positively associated with student life satisfaction and core affect. Peer relationships were not associated with any of the SWB outcomes.
Discussion
The findings highlight the importance of strengthening a child’s relationships and environment to sustain positive child SWB.
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We would like to thank Social Work Community Outreach Service, University of Maryland Baltimore, and the children, families, and schools who participated in this study.
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Forrester, P., Kahric, U., Lewis, E.M. et al. Family, Peer, and Neighborhood Influences on Urban Children’s Subjective Wellbeing. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 41, 427–439 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-022-00866-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-022-00866-0