Family relationships, time spent together as a family and their effect on the well-being of adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. This document is part of a wider research initiative being carried out on families and the well-being of adolescents. This present study examines the differences between adolescents (male and female) in terms of different variables that reflect “family welfare” and the pedagogical consequences that arise from them. The main variable is “family time”, but other pertinent variables are also studied, including pro-social attitudes, levels of independence or conformism, leadership, egocentricity, depression and anxiety. Methodology. Different correlated and differentiated studies were carried out on a random and stratified sample of 751 adolescents currently studying their second, third and fourth years of ESO (i.e. years 9, 10 and 11 of Spanish secondary education) and first year of bachillerato (equivalent to the first year of higher secondary education) in the Community of Madrid. The object was to analyse these variables and their relation to “family time” (The main statistical analyses undertaken were correlations and ANOVAS). Results. The main conclusion of the study is that time spent with children is time well spent, and is, perhaps even the very best way to spend time. It encourages better family relations, increases self-esteem, improves social skills and prosocial attitudes, leads to less egocentricity, and diminishes the likelihood of depression and anxiety, etc. Discussion. This study provides evidence of the importance of the time that parents and children spend together, in relation to the psychological stability of the latter and their improved ability to relate with others.