ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of the perceptions and conditions of happiness between children and adolescents, and also of the perceptions of happiness according to their needs level of the conditions of happiness. There was a total of 649 participants, of which 405 were children and 244 were adolescents, all of whom were attending elementary school, middle school, or high school. The children and adolescents completed a questionnaire on the perceptions of happiness and the conditions of happiness which consisted of 57 (for children) or 58 (for adolescents) items. The results were as follows: First, children and adolescents both felt happy regarding the variables of ‘flow’, ‘health and appearance’, ‘leisure’ and ‘interpersonal relations’. However, it was found that children felt happier than adolescents. Second, children and adolescents perceived achievement-related variables as important conditions of happiness. Additionally, variables of ‘relations with parents and relatives’ and ‘positive emotions’ were the conditions that children needed. However, adolescents rated the needs of the conditions of happiness higher than children. Lastly, children and adolescent groups who perceived the necessity of the conditions of happiness at a high level were found to be happier than those who perceived the necessity of the conditions of happiness at a low level. The findings have implications of providing educational, psychological and environmental support to improve the happiness of children and adolescents.

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