Well-being in children and adolescents. The state of the art in research and conceptual background

This paper reviews the current research on the well-being of children and adolescents. The results of international studies comparing countries are presented, as well as national and international research on individual level factors stemming from the familial and social context. The paper shows the different research perspectives and foci as well as the reception of the well-being concept in psychology and medicine. Approaches to define well-being are considered, followed by a clarification of the concept and neighbouring constructs and termini. the most widely used approaches on the measurement of well-being are mentioned and examples given. Based on this review further research regarding conceptual and theoretical aspects of well-being and its promotion is called for. Further research is warranted regarding the cognitive, emotional, and social regulations of well-being in the development process. Improved methods and techniques for the assessment of well-being are also needed, as well as a stronger emphasis of research on the well-being of chronically ill children and adolescents.