Browsing by Subject "yhdeksäsluokkalaiset"

Goals. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of subjective wellbeing based on Seligman’s (2011) PERMA-theory among sixth and ninth grade girls and boys. Previous studies have shown that girls experience lower wellbeing than boys and that the subjective wellbeing decreases as the children move on to higher grades. This study creates an understanding of the state of subjective wellbeing among sixth and ninth graders and the factors that affect it. This study provides knowledge to those working with children and youth on which elements of wellbeing should be taken in consideration in order to promote the wellbeing of children and youth. Methods. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study. Sixth and ninth graders (N = 175) from three schools in the Helsinki metropolitan area participated in the study. Their experiences of subjective wellbeing were mapped using a questionnaire. The EPOCH wellbeing measure (Kern et al., 2016) based on the PERMA-theory was used as a measure of subjective wellbeing in this study. Mann Whitney's U-test was used in the analysis of the data. Results and conclusions. Majority of the participants in this study seemed to be doing well, although unlike in previous studies, girls were experiencing more wellbeing than boys. Also, unlike in previous studies, grade levels did not differ in the experience of wellbeing. Sixth grade girls experienced engagement and connectedness, and ninth grade girls, in addition to the above, also experienced perseverance and happiness more often than boys of the same age. Gender differences in the experience of subjective wellbeing and its elements can serve as indicative results which, however, are still in need of further research in order to be able to better understand the factors affecting youth wellbeing and thus allowing us to effectively promote it.