The trajectory of life satisfaction and its associated factors among adolescents in South Korea

Abstract

Korean adolescents are reportedly unhappy, dissatisfied with their lives, yet little is known about why. This study is set out to examine their life satisfaction and its change over time and the factors associated with its change. The analyses were conducted using the data from the Korean Youth Panel Survey (2004–2008) on a total of 3449 adolescents. The latent growth curve modelling result shows that Korean adolescents’ life satisfaction had a linear trajectory over a five-year period, and that while peer and teacher relationships were identified as important protective factors, academic stress and their internalised problems such as depression had long-lasting effect over time. Based on such findings, implications for social work practice with adolescents are discussed.