Authors: Wing Hong Chui Mathew Y H Wong
Publish Date: 2015/01/14
Volume: 125, Issue: 3, Pages: 1035-1051
Abstract
This study uses survey data from adolescents N = 1428 in Hong Kong to test the association of gender with happiness and life satisfaction through relationship style and selfconcept While selfesteem and purpose in life are associated with higher happiness and life satisfaction having more close friends is related to higher happiness but not necessarily life satisfaction On the other hand boys with higher academic achievement are happier but not more satisfied the opposite holds true for girls Our results provide a muchneeded investigation of the differential effect of gender on the subjective wellbeing of adolescents Contributing to the theoretical debate about the concepts of subjective wellbeing we argue that happiness and life satisfaction are empirically and conceptually distinct Life satisfaction might be characterized by more profound enjoyment and achievement in life than happiness
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