Satisfaction with life, family and food in adolescents: Exploring moderating roles of family-related factors

Abstract

Numerous studies have related socioeconomic status (SES), family structure, and family life cycle to adolescents’ life satisfaction (LS). However, studies assessing the moderating role of these variables in the relationship between LS and domain-specific satisfaction are still limited. The present study examines life satisfaction in adolescents by testing the moderating roles of adolescents’ family SES, family structure, and stage of family life cycle in the relationship between satisfaction with food-related life (SWFoL) and LS, and between satisfaction with family life (SWFaL) and LS. A sample of 473 adolescents (mean age 13.3 years, 51.8% female) in Chile responded to a questionnaire including the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Satisfaction with Food-related Life scale, and Satisfaction with Family Life scale. Using structural equation modeling, we found that adolescents’ LS was positively related to SWFaL and SWFoL. Using a multi-group analysis, no moderating role of family SES was found. The relationship between SWFaL and LS was weaker in adolescents belonging to single-headed families and stronger in adolescents belonging to dual-headed families. The relationship between SWFoL and LS was lower in adolescents from families in the expansion stage (eldest child aged 6–14 years) and higher in adolescents from families in the consolidation stage (eldest child aged 15–24 years). The relationship between SWFaL and LS was stronger in adolescents from families in the expansion stage and weaker in adolescents from families in the consolidation stage. These findings suggest the need for different strategies to improve adolescents’ life satisfaction.