Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/y54jofp51m
THE RELATIONSHIP OF PARENTING TO INDICATORS OF WELL-BEING
Lana Lučić
orcid.org/0000-0002-7239-4999
; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Andreja Brajša Žganec
orcid.org/0000-0003-0846-6297
; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan
orcid.org/0000-0002-2662-3156
; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Tihana Brkljačić
; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Ines Sučić
orcid.org/0000-0002-3533-3660
; Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar
Abstract
This study aimed to compare well-being of parents and childless individuals.
Available literature shows inconsistency in results, indicating a need to further
investigate possible differences between people who do or do not have children.
This research aimed to explore these differences, by using various indicators of
well-being, considering age and sex of participants. Finally, we were interested
to explore the amount of variance of life satisfaction, can be explained by socio-
demographic characteristics and satisfaction with specific life domains, and
are there differences between participants who do or do not have children. For
the purpose of this study, we used online gathered data from the second wave
of Croatian longitudinal study on well-being. The sample of participants who
had children (N= 1294) was older, more often in relationship or marriage and
employed but with lower income per family member when compared to sample
of childless participants (N=1458). In both samples, majority were women
and participants did not differ regarding education level. Results showed that
participants with children were more satisfied with life, happier and had flourished
more, but experienced less negative affect compared to their counterparts.
Gender and age showed significant interaction effect with parenthood on satisfaction
with specific life domains. Post hoc analyses revealed younger parents as
least satisfied with free time, but more satisfied with community connectedness
compared to older parents, while lowest satisfaction with community connectedness
was in the group of older childless participants. Men without children
were least satisfied with love life compared to all other groups, and less satisfied
with community connectedness compared to women. Fathers were more satisfied
with physical appearance compared to all other groups, while women without
children were more satisfied with friends compared to men. Regression analyses
revealed that various predictors explain life satisfaction significantly and in similar
amount for both groups of participants. Results of regression analyses, using
socio-demographic characteristics and satisfaction with specific domains as pre61% in group of childless participants. In both groups, those who were more
satisfied with life standard, achievement, safety and love life, were also more
satisfied with life in general. In the group of parents, above already mentioned,
life satisfaction was also predicted by satisfaction with future security and work,
while in the childless sample satisfaction with community connectedness.
Keywords
parenthood; well-being; life satisfaction; happiness; PWI.
Hrčak ID:
231095
URI
Publication date:
24.12.2019.
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