Adolescence well-being and sources of joy

Adolescence constitutes a pivotal stage of development, marked by significant biological, psychological, and social changes that shape young people’s sense of well-being. Increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among adolescents has prompted a growing body of research aimed at identifying protective factors and mechanisms that promote positive health outcomes. Rather than concentrating solely on preventing mental illness, current approaches highlight the importance of nurturing strengths, such as resilience, self-efficacy, and emotional well-being, as key elements of youth thriving.

This article explores how personal, relational, and environmental factors interact to influence young people’s health and life satisfaction. By emphasizing strengths and potential, rather than deficits, we can help youth view themselves as capable and valuable. This shift in perspective from “what’s wrong” to “what’s possible” supports the development of self-confidence and a sense of agency, laying the foundation for flourishing lives.

Keywords: adolescent well-being, life satisfaction, positive mental health, resilience, youth happiness

Adolescents’ well-beingAdolescents’ well-being is a multidimensional concept shaped by a dynamic interaction of individual, social, and environmental influences (Shin et al., 2021). A holistic approach to well-being acknowledges that happiness and life satisfaction are not simply defined by the absence of adversity, but by the presence of positive qualities and enriching experiences (Majauskienė et al., 2024). Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of adolescent well-being requires a broad exploration across psychological, emotional, and social domains (Kern et al., 2014).

Adolescence represents a critical period of development, characterized by substantial biological and psychosocial changes that can significantly affect an individual’s subjective well-being (Azpiazu et al., 2021). A growing body of research shows that a considerable proportion of adolescents’ experience challenges that adversely impact their mental health, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted support and interventions (Dandala & Hodambia, 2021). The increasing prevalence of mental health issues during this stage highlights the importance of understanding the factors, mechanisms, and environments that contribute to the promotion of positive mental health (Stapley et al., 2022).

Positive emotions such as happiness is a complex construct shaped by psychological, social, and environmental factors. As self-reported well-being often declines from adolescence to adulthood, identifying what supports positive development is essential (McMillan et al., 2021; Azpiazu et al., 2021).

When young people face complex social and global uncertainties, it is justified to highlight joy, hope, and positive perspectives. This positive content supports young people’s psychological resilience by strengthening their ability to cope with adversity, maintain faith in the future, and build experiences of agency and influence. Since well-being is built on constant interaction with genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors—the nature of which changes over time (Berg, Latvala, & Kaprio, 2024)—support and interventions must also be flexible and adaptable.

This article explores the key factors influencing youth happiness: individual traits, relationships, and societal contexts and drawing on diverse theories and empirical findings (Handa et al., 2023; Majauskienė et al., 2024; McMillan et al., 2021).

Sources of joy

Understanding adolescent happiness requires examining its key correlates and predictors across cultural contexts (Singh et al., 2023). Broader determinants include mental, emotional, and physical well-being, meaningful work-life balance, strong social ties, and alignment with cultural and environmental contexts (Singh et al., 2023). Positive mental health—encompassing psychological well-being, self-efficacy, and personal growth—is closely associated with happiness (Vaingankar et al., 2022). Social support also plays a critical role, significantly influencing both happiness and unhappiness globally (Araki, 2023). Fostering mental well-being in adolescence is essential for long-term flourishing (Bjørnsen et al., 2017), with purpose, hope, and identity formation acting as key developmental drivers (Kadir & Mohd, 2021). Building resilience and adaptive coping is vital for navigating identity and career challenges (Kalvāns, 2019), while stable home environments and access to education further support overall life satisfaction (Dam et al., 2023).

Positive emotions such as happiness is a complex construct shaped by psychological, social, and environmental factors.

Promoting child and adolescent health is central to public health and to primordial prevention of chronic diseases later in life (Mastorci et al., 2024). Early investment in mental health establishes the foundation for a productive adult population (Bjørnsen et al., 2017). Rising rates of youth mental health challenges highlight the need to examine societal and environmental factors shaping well-being and distress (Barnhart et al., 2022).

Positive mental health in youth encompasses emotional well-being, flourishing, social competence, resilience, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction (Vaingankar et al., 2022). These attributes both protect against distress and support successful navigation of adolescence (Phua & Chew, 2025), a period marked by profound biological, cognitive, and social transitions (Kaur et al., 2019). Key findings on adolescents well-being are summarized in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Key findings related to adolescents’ positive well-being

Building resilience

As previously stated, adolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability to mental health issues due to ongoing developmental and maturational changes (MacLeod & Brownlie, 2014). Early intervention and prevention are essential to support healthy development and reduce the risk of long-term mental disorders (Orth et al., 2022; Scheiner et al., 2022). As Luthar, Cicchetti & Becker (2000) state, resilience refers to a dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation within the context of significant adversity. Key protective factors such as self-esteem and resilience help adolescents manage stress, adapt to change, and maintain well-being (Auttama et al., 2021; Lukoševičiūtė et al., 2023). With around 70% of mental disorders emerging before age 25, adolescence is a critical window for mental health promotion (Kutcher & Venn, 2008). These disorders can impair emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, affecting peer relationships, behavior, and academic performance (Lin & Guo, 2024). Depression, anxiety, and other conditions often begin during this stage and frequently go undiagnosed and untreated, worsening long-term outcomes (Maglica et al., 2021; 2016; Mokitimi et al., 2019). Early-onset, untreated mental illness can become chronic and resistant to treatment in adulthood (Fusar‐Poli, 2019), highlighting the urgent need for accessible, youth-centered mental health services (McGorry et al., 2011).

Early interventions constitute a decisive mechanism for attenuating both the severity and chronicity of youth mental disorders, while simultaneously mitigating the risk of secondary comorbidities (Girolamo et al., 2011). Such preventive approaches cohere with global health imperatives aimed at curbing the escalating burden of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders (Fagan et al., 2020). Nevertheless, extant service infrastructures remain markedly insufficient, with limited youth-oriented resources perpetuating unmet clinical and developmental needs (McGorry & Mei, 2018). This shortfall is particularly disquieting given epidemiological evidence indicating that over half of all mental disorders manifest prior to age 14 and approximately three-quarters by the mid-20s (Colizzi et al., 2020). Despite the high prevalence of psychopathology during these critical developmental periods, patterns of service utilization remain low, constrained by systemic barriers, inadequate provision, and persistent reluctance to engage with formal professional support (Catania et al., 2011; Rickwood, 2010).

Schools represent a central institutional context for early intervention. Empirical findings demonstrate that positive school relations and supportive educational climates are strongly associated with adolescent well-being, with life satisfaction operating as a mediating construct (Cavioni et al., 2021). Embedding social-emotional learning within academic curricula offers a comprehensive framework that fosters resilience while promoting mental health in tandem with cognitive development (Kern et al., 2014). The cultivation of constructive teacher-student and peer relationships has been shown to enhance both emotional well-being and scholastic achievement (Yahyaei et al., 2012; Podiya et al., 2025). Moreover, resilience-focused school-based interventions provide compelling evidence of efficacy in improving mental health outcomes across child and adolescent populations (Dray et al., 2015). This is an important perspective because resilience could change over time (Werner, 1995) and positive construal can be taught (Bonanno, 2004.).

Holistic well-being in mind

The evidence underscores the necessity of a holistic approach that integrates individual resources with supportive social and educational environments to promote sustained well-being among youth. Such an approach requires a paradigmatic transformation of societal systems, wherein adolescent well-being is prioritized beyond academic achievement to encompass emotional, social, and psychological flourishing. Shift from deficit-based models focused on pathology toward strengths-based frameworks that emphasize holistic well-being is imperative. This transition entails the provision of supportive educational contexts, accessible mental health services, and culturally responsive interventions.

In an uncertain and rapidly changing world, young people need positive communication and perspectives that reinforce hope. A hope-based approach supports young people’s resilience and mental well-being (Ungar, 2012). Future research should investigate context-specific determinants of happiness and assess the effectiveness of multi-level interventions designed to enhance adolescent life satisfaction. Positioning youth happiness at the core of public health and educational agendas enables societies to strengthen young people’s capacity to navigate developmental challenges and contribute productively to their communities. Moreover, when youth feel recognized and valued, they are more likely to engage in civic, educational, and community initiatives. Positive storytelling can serve as a catalyst for such engagement.

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