A Typological Analysis of Life Satisfaction Trajectories of Children and Mothers and the Characteristics of Different Groups

Objectives This study examined the life satisfaction trajectories of children and mothers, conducted a typological analysis based on these trajectories, and explored the relationship between the trajectories of child-mother life satisfaction as well as the characteristics of each identified type. Methods For the analysis, this study used data from the 11th to 15th waves of the Panel study on Korean children (PSKC). The research methods included descriptive statistics (means and percentages), sequence analysis, cross-tabulation, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and difference testing. Results First, although maternal life satisfaction showed a slight improvement as children aged, it varied by individual and was categorized into four groups: 1) consistently high satisfaction (M1), 2) gradually increasing satisfaction over time (M2), 3) gradually decreasing satisfaction over time (M3), and 4) consistently low satisfaction (M4). Second, unlike maternal life satisfaction, children's life satisfaction tended to decrease as they got older. Children were classified into four groups: 1) consistently high life satisfaction (C1), 2) fluctuating life satisfaction (C2), 3) sharply declining life satisfaction after the 6th grade (C3), and 4) consistently low life satisfaction (C4). Third, the study identified four child-mother satisfaction patterns: 1) both child and mother maintained consistently high life satisfaction (CM1), 2) children had consistently low or recently declined life satisfaction, while mothers maintained high satisfaction (CM2), 3) children maintained consistently high life satisfaction, but mothers had consistently low satisfaction (CM3), and 4) both child and mother had consistently low life satisfaction (CM4). Additionally, the variables that contributed to the differences among the types included household income, academic understanding, achievement pressure, academic stress, attachment, and marital conflict. Conclusions This study is of considerable significance as it identifies the determinants influencing life satisfaction among children and mothers. The findings provide crucial empirical data that can inform the formulation of policies aimed at enhancing life satisfaction within households.