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Early Adolescent Affect Predicts Later Life Outcomes.
Jessica Kansky1, Joseph P Allen1, Ed Diener1
1University of Virginia, USA.
Applied Psychology. Health and Well-Being
|April 15, 2016
Summary
Positive affect in early adolescence predicts better adult relationships, adjustment, self-worth, and career success. This highlights the importance of positive emotions for long-term life outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Well-being Research
Background:
- Subjective well-being influences health, work, and relationships.
- Few studies examine well-being's developmental role during the transition to adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate subjective well-being as a long-term predictor of life outcomes.
- To examine positive and negative affect in adolescence predicting adult relationship, adjustment, self-worth, and career outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 184 diverse participants.
- Assessed positive and negative affect at age 14.
- Measured outcomes at ages 23-25 using multi-informant reports (self, friends, partners).
Main Results:
- Early positive affect predicted fewer relationship problems and better adult adjustment (less depression, anxiety, loneliness).
- Positive affect also predicted higher self-worth, career satisfaction, and job competence.
- Negative affect did not significantly predict these outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Early positive affect is a crucial predictor of positive adult life outcomes.
- Findings emphasize positive affect as distinct from negative affect in subjective well-being.
- Results extend previous research to diverse, lower socioeconomic populations.
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