The Contribution of Background Variables, Internal and External Resources to Life Satisfaction among Adolescents in Residential Treatment Centers

Abstract

SUMMARY The article deals with the contribution of background variables (gender, years of residence in a treatment center, and family status), internal resource (self-esteem), and external resources (peer, family and significant other support, sense of belonging to the community) to life satisfaction among adolescents living in residential treatment centers. The findings show that regarding the background variables, only gender contributed directly to life satisfaction, whereas years of residence and family status contributed indirectly. Additionally, the contribution of some external resources (mainly family support and sense of belonging to the community) was more significant than that of the internal resource (self-esteem). Of the other external resources, peer support did not contribute to life satisfaction, and support from a significant other contributed indirectly. The discussion suggests explanations for the research findings and their implications, as well as recommendations for further research.