Social connections key to happiness for "at-risk" teens

Posted on March 17, 2014

An RMIT University report on the happiness of disadvantaged Australian teenagers has emphasised the vital role of family and friends in mental wellbeing. The research examined the happiness of more than 23,000 "at-risk" Australian youth.

The survey group were participants in the Department's Youth Connections program, which provides support for "at-risk" youth across Australia.

Dr Adrian Tomyn said the findings supported the importance of the three corners of what has been termed the "Golden Triangle" of happiness - supportive relationships, money and having a sense of meaning and accomplishment in life.

"Disadvantaged young people tend to have significantly lower levels of overall happiness than the average young Australian, largely due to lower scores on 'Standard of Living' and 'Achieving in Life'," he said.

"But they tend to score no differently to average teens on 'Relationships' and this seems to be a crucial factor that supports happiness and prevents further loss to wellbeing in the face of adversity.


Category(s):Social Isolation, Teenage Issues

Source material from Health Canal