Exploring The Determinants of Subjective Well-Being : A Study of Children in India Tithi Bhatnagar (Research Scholar) & Prof. Meenakshi Gupta Department of Humanities & Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India

IIT BOMBAYISCI Organization  Introduction  Objective  Method  Results  Discussions  Conclusion

IIT BOMBAYISCI Introduction  What is Subjective Well Being (SWB)?  Components of SWB  Stages of SWB Stage I – Research on SWB Stage II- Research Theory Stage III- Combining Processes, Approaches of the SWB theory  Research Topics in the Psychology of Well-Being

IIT BOMBAYISCI Introduction contd.  School children have a level of SWB even if they do not consciously think about it. The psychological system offers virtually a constant evaluation of what is happening to the individual (Diener, 1997)  Measuring & documenting SWB can help advance children’s mental, emotional and spiritual qualities which are essential for individual happiness and responsible citizenship (Richmond, 1950)  The Foundation for Child Development Index of Child Well Being (CWI), , with Projections for 2003 (Duke University 2004)

IIT BOMBAYISCI Introduction contd.  Purpose and Need for the Study  Understanding Subjective Well-Being in the Indian Context Research Objective  To explore the factors that determine the SWB amongst children in India

IIT BOMBAYISCI Method  Sample 46 Children of ages 9 and 10 years (M=24, F=22, U=22, US=8, R=16)

IIT BOMBAYISCI Method contd.  Variables of the Study  Research Tool Used  What in general gives you happiness?  What type of things or experiences (emotional/material) lead to your greatest well-being?  What makes you feel unpleasant?  Procedure  Analysis – Content Analysis

IIT BOMBAYISCI Results ▫ On the basis of Location ▫ On the basis of Gender ▫ Overall Findings ▫ Domain Classification and Distribution ▫ Positive Domains ▫ Negative Domains

IIT BOMBAYISCI Location wise Results

IIT BOMBAYISCI Location wise Results contd.

IIT BOMBAYISCI Location wise Results contd.

IIT BOMBAYISCI Location wise Results contd.

IIT BOMBAYISCI Location wise Results contd.

IIT BOMBAYISCI Location wise Results contd.

IIT BOMBAYISCI Gender wise Results

IIT BOMBAYISCI Gender wise Results contd.

IIT BOMBAYISCI Gender wise Results contd.

IIT BOMBAYISCI Overall Results for Positive Determinants

IIT BOMBAYISCI Domain Classification - Positive Domains

IIT BOMBAYISCI Domain Classification - Negative Domains

IIT BOMBAYISCI Discussion  SWB is a combination of both cognitive and affective components  Context is very important in determining SWB  Theory of Utility and Depravity  Children’s concept of well being varies from that of adult’s concept of well being

IIT BOMBAYISCI Implications for Policy and Practice  Implications for teachers, policy planners, health care providers and economists  Facilitation of improved allocation of limited resources, new methods of teaching and parenting  Implications for managing classroom behaviors  Prediction of happiness levels of future generations and formulation of intervention strategies to improve SWB at age appropriate levels

IIT BOMBAYISCI Conclusion Examining the entire range of well being gives us an insight about factors that can increase quality of life for the children  Limitations of the present research  Implications for future research

IIT BOMBAYISCI Questions and Suggestions!