Topic: Three Strategies for Creating Happiness among Adolescents
Date: 5 April 2024, Friday
Speaker: Ms Lee Li Li, Clinical Psychologist
During adolescence, it is a period that influences the lifelong happiness of many people. Happiness refers to a person's state of comfort, health, and joy. A person's sense of happiness determines their quality of life - it's where they find value and, ultimately, what they consider beautiful.
The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is the only large-scale international measurement project correlating students' academic achievement with their sense of happiness. According to PISA's definition, adolescents' sense of happiness is divided into four aspects: cognitive, physical, social, and material.
Pursuing happiness amidst confusion and turmoil
From the perspectives of psychology and child development, happiness begins with the formation of adolescents' self-concepts. A weak self-concept can affect adolescents' social functioning and behavioural issues, thereby influencing their psychological health and overall sense of happiness.
For example, adolescents who are dissatisfied with their body shape generally have low self-esteem and psychological well-being, leading to eating disorders, dieting behaviours, and an increased risk of depression.
Developmental psychologist Erikson believed that adolescents organise their motivations, abilities, beliefs, and experiences to form a consistent self-image. This allows them to understand themselves, their relationship with the surrounding environment, and how to maintain coordination and harmony with the environment. This enables them to better navigate society and life challenges in the future.
However, during the process of forming "self-identity," the inner turmoil and conflicts that adolescents experience may also lead them into confusion, contradictions, and inextricable psychological conflicts, affecting their sense of happiness during adolescence.
Three Major Methods to Improve Adolescents' Sense of Happiness
How can we create a happy self-concept for adolescents? Happiness is often learned and can be associated with three key categories: family and social connections, active and positive activities, volunteering, and social feedback.
Parents can play a positive role in promoting adolescents' happiness by encouraging them to take action in each of the following areas:
Notes: The above content was adapted from the 31st edition of ‘Dreamic High Schools’, page 36, about the article ‘Three strategies for creating happiness among adolescents’ on 5 April 2024. For further information and assistance, please contact us.
Date: 5 April 2024, Friday
Speaker: Ms Lee Li Li, Clinical Psychologist
During adolescence, it is a period that influences the lifelong happiness of many people. Happiness refers to a person's state of comfort, health, and joy. A person's sense of happiness determines their quality of life - it's where they find value and, ultimately, what they consider beautiful.
The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is the only large-scale international measurement project correlating students' academic achievement with their sense of happiness. According to PISA's definition, adolescents' sense of happiness is divided into four aspects: cognitive, physical, social, and material.
Pursuing happiness amidst confusion and turmoil
From the perspectives of psychology and child development, happiness begins with the formation of adolescents' self-concepts. A weak self-concept can affect adolescents' social functioning and behavioural issues, thereby influencing their psychological health and overall sense of happiness.
For example, adolescents who are dissatisfied with their body shape generally have low self-esteem and psychological well-being, leading to eating disorders, dieting behaviours, and an increased risk of depression.
Developmental psychologist Erikson believed that adolescents organise their motivations, abilities, beliefs, and experiences to form a consistent self-image. This allows them to understand themselves, their relationship with the surrounding environment, and how to maintain coordination and harmony with the environment. This enables them to better navigate society and life challenges in the future.
However, during the process of forming "self-identity," the inner turmoil and conflicts that adolescents experience may also lead them into confusion, contradictions, and inextricable psychological conflicts, affecting their sense of happiness during adolescence.
Three Major Methods to Improve Adolescents' Sense of Happiness
How can we create a happy self-concept for adolescents? Happiness is often learned and can be associated with three key categories: family and social connections, active and positive activities, volunteering, and social feedback.
Parents can play a positive role in promoting adolescents' happiness by encouraging them to take action in each of the following areas:
- Family and Joy, Building Loving Relationships
The secure attachment relationships with parents during infancy, childhood, and adolescence are related to positive representations of the self, including high levels of self-esteem and self-efficacy, as well as high-quality behaviour and emotions. Parents can help children establish healthy interpersonal relationships by discussing the importance of positive connections and leading by example. For example:
- Care for those around you and engage in conversation with them.
- When facing conflicts, avoid impulsive reactions. Try to calm yourself by taking a walk, deep breathing, or watching relaxing videos to express your feelings calmly before speaking.
- Engage in conversations with those who support you and observe your feelings. Then, consider how you can support them, such as providing the assistance they need or listening to their concerns. As adolescents gradually develop the habit of supporting others, these connections will become valuable and meaningful.
Regardless of the scale of positive connections, parents can pay attention to the types of connections adolescents establish, as friendships significantly impact adolescents' sense of happiness. Research shows that adolescents' peer behaviour and the quality of their peer relationships are significantly correlated with a range of adolescent outcomes, including psychological, social, academic functioning, and happiness. There are various findings regarding the relationship between internet use and psychological health. Some studies have found that daily internet use is associated with lower levels of happiness. Therefore, positive connections have become an essential skill for modern adolescents. - Physical and Mental Activity, Engaging in Active Pursuits
Adolescence is a period, where they are in a high-energy state of curiosity and exploration. Their bodies should naturally become more active, as human bodies are designed to move to maintain functionality!
Various studies have shown that moderate exercise and exploration not only benefit the body but also improve mental health and enhance happiness. Engaging in physical activity for a minimum of 45 minutes per week can show signs of improvement in mental health.
Among these studies, team sports such as basketball, soccer, which require team support, have been found to have the greatest impact on improving adolescents' well-being. Additionally, cycling, aerobic exercise, or other fitness activities are also highly beneficial for adolescents.
Encouraging adolescents to participate in uniformed groups, group fitness activities, or other extracurricular activities or helping them establish running or exercise clubs with friends can actively engage their bodies. This can also promote their mental health and help them establish more positive connections with others. - Enthusiastic Volunteering, Serving the Community
"The giver is more blessed than the receiver" is not only applicable to charity activities but also can bring happiness to adolescents.
In many countries, an increasing number of universities and colleges have made community service or volunteer activities compulsory, indicating the benefits of such activities for adolescents. Adolescents are more likely to have fulfilling lives when they are involved in caring and giving from a young age.
Every community provides opportunities for service, such as cleaning up the environment, volunteering at animal shelters, etc. It does not necessarily require for large-scale or formal charity initiatives.
Adolescents can also provide tutoring for classmates in need, offer companionship, improve the school environment, promote environmental protection on campus, participate in rural service, etc.
Adolescents can also make cakes, inspirational cards, handicrafts, etc., to inspire others through social media, the internet, writing letters, or other means, adding positive energy to those in need or wingless angels, praying and blessing them in their minds, wishing them well-being!
As we cultivate adolescents to improve the world, we also build stronger communities where people care for and love each other. In turn, our children will cultivate a more positive sense of happiness, providing both themselves and others with endless opportunities for impactful change!
Notes: The above content was adapted from the 31st edition of ‘Dreamic High Schools’, page 36, about the article ‘Three strategies for creating happiness among adolescents’ on 5 April 2024. For further information and assistance, please contact us.
