The test
A “positive” childhood was based on teacher evaluations of 2776 students’ levels of happiness, friendship and energy at the ages of 13 and 15. A student was given a positive point for each of the following four items - whether the child was ‘very popular with other children’, ‘unusually happy and contented’, ‘makes friends extremely easily’ and ‘extremely energetic, never tired’. Teachers also rated conduct problems (restlessness, daydreaming, disobedience, lying, etc.) and emotional problems (anxiety, fearfulness, diffidence, avoidance of attention, etc.).
The result
The researchers then linked these ratings to the individuals’ mental health, work experience, relationships and social activities several decades later. They found that teenagers rated positively by their teachers were significantly more likely than those who received no positive ratings to have higher levels of well-being later in life, including a higher work satisfaction, more frequent contact with family and friends, and more regular engagement in social and leisure activities. Happy children were also much less likely than others to develop mental disorders throughout their lives - 60 per cent less likely than young teens that had no positive ratings.
High on confidence
The study also found that the people who had been happy children were actually more likely to get divorced. One possible factor suggested by the researchers is that happier people have higher selfesteem or self-efficacy and are therefore more willing and able to leave an unhappy marriage.
The benefits to individuals, families and to society of good mental health, positive relationships and satisfying work are likely to be substantial. The findings support the view that even in times like these of great financial hardship, policymakers should prioritise the well-being of our children so they have the best possible start in life.
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