scholarly journals Do Happy Children Become Happy Adults?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-96
Author(s):  
Tayfun Doğan ◽  
Fatma Tuba Aydın
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Happiness Level ◽  
Oxford Happiness Questionnaire

Many psychological theories emphasize the significance of early childhood events. A review of the literature reveals that studies concentrate on the consequences of adverse childhood experiences on the physical and mental health of individuals. A few studies have so far examined the effects of positive childhood experiences on mental health. This research aims to investigate the relationship between positive childhood experiences and happiness. 695 adults (488 female and 207 male) participated in the study. Positive Childhood Experiences Scale served to gather the data regarding the childhood experiences, and The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire is employed to measure the happiness of the participants. According to the results of this study, a positive correlation was found between positive childhood experiences and happiness. Positive childhood experiences explain 23% of happiness and 24% of life satisfaction. In parallel to positive childhood experiences points, the happiness and life satisfaction of the participants also increases. According to the happiness level of participants, those who inform to be very happy have higher levels of positive childhood experiences in comparison to those who feel a moderate level of happiness or declare to be unhappy. The results are discussed in the context of the literature.

scholarly journals Examining protective and buffering associations between sociocultural factors and adverse childhood experiences among American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes: a quantitative, community-based participatory research approach

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e022265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa N Brockie ◽  
Jessica H L Elm ◽  
Melissa L Walls
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
American Indian ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of select adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among a sample of American Indian (AI) adults living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the associations between ACEs and self-rated physical and mental health. We also examined associations between sociocultural factors and health, including possible buffering processes.DesignSurvey data for this observational study were collected using computer-assisted survey interviewing techniques between 2013 and 2015.SettingParticipants were randomly selected from AI tribal clinic facilities on five reservations in the upper Midwestern USA.ParticipantsInclusion criteria were a diagnosis of T2D, age 18 years or older and self-identified as AI. The sample includes n=192 adults (55.7% female; mean age=46.3 years).Primary measuresWe assessed nine ACEs related to household dysfunction and child maltreatment. Independent variables included social support, diabetes support and two cultural factors: spiritual activities and connectedness. Primary outcomes were self-rated physical and mental health.ResultsAn average of 3.05 ACEs were reported by participants and 81.9% (n=149) said they had experienced at least one ACE. Controlling for gender, age and income, ACEs were negatively associated with self-rated physical and mental health (p<0.05). Connectedness and social support were positively and significantly associated with physical and mental health. Involvement in spiritual activities was positively associated with mental health and diabetes-specific support was positively associated with physical health. Social support and diabetes-specific social support moderated associations between ACEs and physical health.ConclusionsThis research demonstrates inverse associations between ACEs and well-being of adult AI patients with diabetes. The findings further demonstrate the promise of social and cultural integration as a critical component of wellness, a point of relevance for all cultures. Health professionals can use findings from this study to augment their assessment of patients and guide them to health-promoting social support services and resources for cultural involvement.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document