There has been increasing interest in the nature of happiness and how to achieve it in psychological, sociological, economic and political realms along with discourse on the happiness and well being of children and young people. The aim of the current research was to explore young people's constructs of happiness. There were two research questions: firstly to explore the young people's definitions of happiness; secondly to explore what they felt contributed to this happiness. Ten young people aged thirteen to fourteen volunteered to participate in an individual semi-structured interview with the researcher. The data were analysed and theory was developed using the Grounded Theory method taking a social constructionist approach. The subsequent theory of happiness according to the young people was: friendships bring enduring happiness and are represented by knowing one is cared for and understood as part of a reciprocal relationship, and the activities people share together, particularly talking. Enduring happiness is also achieved through accomplishment whereas temporary happiness is achieved via material factors. Happiness impacts on friendships and accomplishment, and without it there is only unhappiness. Happiness and unhappiness are influenced by environmental factors which are both active and passive. The theory was discussed according to the existing literature. Implications of the findings for the research area and Educational Psychology practice are discussed with suggestions for future research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:553142 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Penniston, Kathryn |
| Publisher | University of East London |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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