The Quality of Life of Young People from the Island of Prvić

Abstract

The aim of this study is to gain insight into the quality of life of youth from island Prvic, which was examined through subjective well-being and community resources. In the research participated 9 young people that have residence on the island Prvic, or they have had it in the last 3 years. The data was collected trough a semi-structured interview in the period from May to August 2020. The results showed that young people have good relationships with their family, partner and friends. They spend most of their time hanging out with them, but they wish they could spend more time with their friends than they do. They are generally satisfied with the things they own and their financial situation, but most express a desire to change their employment status. However, they are satisfied with their current work environment. The greatest difficulty that stands out is the impossibility of independence and living with their parents. The only young people who became independent managed to do it on land. Tthey generally perceive that they have a sufficient amount of choice in life, but feel that they would have a greater choice, if they lived on the land. In terms of community resources, young people see the island as a place that has more difficulties and areas to improve than resources, but still perceives island life as something positive, and prefers it over life on land. Those young people who said they are planning to leave the island also said if more investment in the island would be made, that they would stay or return to live there. The study also refers on subjective well-being of youth in the times of Covid-19 appearance, where young people point out that the event had some negative consequences for their well-being, but believe that the isolation of the island, their involvement in the community and maintaining relations with other islanders have made it easier for them to cope with the new situation. The findings of the research can be useful for state departments in creating youth and island policies, but also for planning certain interventions that aim at mitigating the consequences of Covid-19.