title: Self-rated and observer-rated measures of well-being and distress in adolescence: an exploratory study.
abstract: The evaluation of eudaimonic well-being in adolescence is hampered by the lack of specific assessment tools. Moreover, with younger populations, the assessment of positive functioning may be biased by self-report data only, and may be more accurate by adding significant adults' evaluations. The objective of this research was to measure adolescents' well-being and prosocial behaviours using self-rated and observer-rated instruments, and their pattern of associations. The sample included 150 Italian high school adolescents. Observed-evaluation was performed by their school teachers using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Adolescents completed Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scales and Symptom Questionnaire. Pearson' r correlations and Linear regression were performed. Self-rated dimensions of psychological well-being significantly correlated with all observer-rated dimensions, but Strengths and Difficulties Emotional symptom scale. Multiple linear regression showed that the self-rated dimensions Environmental Mastery and Personal Growth, and surprisingly not Positive Relations, are related to the observer-rated dimension Prosocial Behaviour. Adolescents with higher levels of well-being in specific dimensions tend to be perceived as less problematic by their teachers. However, some dimensions of positive functioning present discrepancies between self and observer-rated instruments. Thus, the conjunct use of self-reports and observer-rated tools for a more comprehensive assessment of students' eudaimonic well-being is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, Bologna, 40127 Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vescovelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, Bologna, 40127 Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Albieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, Bologna, 40127 Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruini
keywords: Adolescents; Assessment; Observer-rated methods; Psychological well-being; Self-rated methods; Symptoms