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A 32-Year Longitudinal Study of Child and Adolescent Pathways to Well-Being in Adulthood

Journal of Happiness Studies volume 14, pages 1069–1083 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relative importance of child and adolescent social and academic pathways to well-being in adulthood (32-years) indicated by a sense of meaning, social engagement, positive coping and prosocial values. Data were drawn from a 15 wave (32-year) longitudinal study of the health and development of around 1000 New Zealanders (Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, New Zealand). Moderate continuity in social connectedness (0.38) and high continuity in academic ability (0.90) was observed across childhood and adolescence. Adolescent social connectedness was a better predictor of adult well-being than academic achievement (0.62 vs. 0.12). There was evidence of an indirect pathway from adolescent academic achievement to adult well-being through social connectedness (0.29). Indicators of well-being in adulthood appear to be better explained by social connection rather than academic competencies pathways. Implications for promoting longer term well-being during the school years are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia

    Craig A. Olsson

  2. Environment, Genes and Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Craig A. Olsson

  3. Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Rob McGee, Shyamala Nada-Raja & Sheila M. Williams

  4. Department of Paediatrics, The Royal Children’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Craig A. Olsson

  5. Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Craig A. Olsson

Authors
  1. Craig A. Olsson
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  2. Rob McGee
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  3. Shyamala Nada-Raja
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  4. Sheila M. Williams
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Correspondence to Craig A. Olsson.

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Olsson, C.A., McGee, R., Nada-Raja, S. et al. A 32-Year Longitudinal Study of Child and Adolescent Pathways to Well-Being in Adulthood. J Happiness Stud 14, 1069–1083 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9369-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9369-8

Keywords

  • Childhood
  • Adolescence
  • Language development
  • Academic achievement
  • Social connectedness
  • Well-being
  • Adulthood