Strengths and Subjective Wellbeing in Adolescence: Strength-Based Parenting and the Moderating Effect of Mindset

Hayley K. Jach, Jessie Sun, Daniel Loton, Tan-Chyuan Chin and Lea E. Waters ()
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Hayley K. Jach: The University of Melbourne
Jessie Sun: The University of Melbourne
Daniel Loton: The University of Melbourne
Tan-Chyuan Chin: The University of Melbourne
Lea E. Waters: The University of Melbourne

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2018, vol. 19, issue 2, No 13, 567-586

Abstract: Abstract Recent research suggests that strength-based parenting—the tendency for parents to see and encourage children to use their strengths—relates to lower stress and higher life satisfaction in adolescents. The current study tests whether strength-based parenting, in conjunction with a teenager’s strengths use, influences the teenager’s subjective wellbeing, and whether a growth mindset moderates the relationship between strength-based parenting and strengths use. Three hundred and sixty three adolescents (M age = 13.74, 51% female) completed questionnaire measures of strength-based parenting, strengths use, subjective wellbeing (life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect), Extraversion, Neuroticism, and two aspects of growth mindset. A hierarchical regression using latent variables found that strengths use and strength-based parenting were both significant independent predictors of subjective wellbeing, over and above the effects of extraversion and neuroticism. A mediation analysis found that strengths use partially mediated the relationship between strength-based parenting and subjective wellbeing. Finally, a novel measure of strengths mindset significantly moderated the relationship between strength-based parenting and strengths use. These results suggest that adolescents who see their parents as strength-based report greater strengths use (especially when they have a growth mindset about their strengths) and greater subjective wellbeing.

Keywords: Strength-based parenting; Strengths use; Subjective wellbeing; Growth mindset (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9841-y

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