Change in Wellbeing from Childhood to Adolescence: Risk and Resilience
(2010) Leslie Morrison Gutman, John Brown, Rodie Akerman and Polina Obolenskaya
Wider Benefits of Learning Research Report No.34
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Within the framework of risk and
resilience, this report focuses on changes in wellbeing from middle childhood to
early adolescence. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and
Children (ALSPAC), we investigate trajectories and drivers of change across
psychological, behavioural, social and subjective school wellbeing. We also
examine those children who have a large number of risks in their lives,
identifying those factors which may help protect their wellbeing.
Findings suggest that the course of wellbeing for the individual child is varied and complex. Factors either support or undermine changes in wellbeing, but while some appear universal for both high- and low-risk children, others are differentiated by risk level and/or gender. Nonetheless, a few key factors are highlighted, including the importance of children’s environments – in terms of their relationships with parents, friends and school – as well as their experiences and capabilities in terms of attainment and SEN, rather than their social background and where they live.
Dr Leslie Morrison Gutman is Research Director at the Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning, Institute of Education.
Dr John Brown is a Quantitative Research Officer at the Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning, Institute of Education.
Rodie Akerman is a Policy Research Officer at the Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning, Institute of Education.
Polina Obolenskaya is a Quantitative Research Officer at the Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning, Institute of Education.
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