Does Infant Happiness Forecast Adult Life Satisfaction? Examining Subjective Well-Being in the First Quarter Century of Life

Abstract

Few empirical studies have focused on young children's happiness (high positive affect and low negative affect) and specifically whether it is related to adult wellbeing. Adult well-being indices (e.g., life satisfaction, workplace hope, and optimism) may have developmental roots in early affect. In the 28-year Fullerton Longitudinal Study (N = 129) we examined positive affect and negative affect as independent constructs during infancy (parent report) and adolescence (self-report) to determine their relationship to global adult life satisfaction (self-report). In addition, we tested the generalizability of the effects of positive and negative affect in relation to domain-specific adult well-being constructs (i.e., workplace hope and optimism), which hold utility for concurrent and prospective well-being. Structural equation modeling revealed that positive affect during infancy and adolescence each uniquely predicted adult life satisfaction. In a separate model for a subsample of employed adults, infant positive affect showed significant positive associations with workplace hope and optimism. Neither infant nor adolescent negative affect predicted any adult well-being outcomes. Our results highlight the need for more developmental studies examining the relationship between children's positive and negative affect and long-term well-being.

Children’s and Adolescents’ Conceptions of Happiness

“…Thus, we expected children to define happiness in terms of 'positive feelings', whereas adolescents were expected to define it in terms of 'self-autonomy', 'external-oriented achievement', and 'ultimate value of life'. We expected the conceptualization of happiness as 'harmony/balance', (i.e., satisfaction and balance) to be more often mentioned by the eldest age group as previous literature has suggested that children have not yet developed the cognitive abilities to make life satisfaction assessments (Coffey, Warren, & Gottfried, 2014). Regarding the conceptualization of happiness as positive relationships, we expected that children would mainly define it on the basis of their relationships with their parents, and that adolescents would conceptualize happiness in terms of close relationships with peers and friends (e.g., Hunter & Youniss, 1982;Youniss, 1980;Youniss & Smollar, 1985).…”

A Multi-Study Examination of Well-Being Theory in College and Community Samples

“…Experiencing positive emotions is a primary goal of individuals around the world (Diener 2000). And, research suggests positive emotions are a key indicator of well-being (Coffey et al 2014;Cohn and Fredrickson 2009;Lyubomirsky et al 2005); they are positively related to life satisfaction, resilience, mindfulness, social rewards, work outcomes, and physical health (for a review, see Cohn and Fredrickson 2009).…”

Transforming Life: A Broad View of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Concept from an Ecological Justice Perspective

“…Positive affect has been associated with good sleep [137] and healthy pregnancy outcomes [138]. In 28-year prospective research, infant positive affect (parent rated at baseline) uniquely predicts adult life satisfaction, workplace hope and optimism [139]. Early adolescent positive affect also predicts healthy adult relationships, workplace competency and self-worth [140].…”