Day-to-day changes in parent-adolescent connectedness: Relations with daily subjective well-being and eudaimonia differ for parents and adolescents

Growing attention is being given to understanding factors that promote individuals’ happiness, life satisfaction, engagement, and meaning in life. This study examined the mutual benefits of a close, connected relationship for parents’ and adolescents’ daily subjective well-being (SWB) and eudaimonia (EUD). Using multilevel actor-partner interdependence models and data from a 21-day daily dairy study of 151 parent-adolescent dyads, we examined the differential role that feelings of connectedness play in parents’ and adolescents’ daily SWB and EUD. Parents’ usual and daily feelings of connectedness to their adolescent were most strongly linked to SWB for parents and adolescents; in contrast, adolescents’ usual and daily feelings of connectedness to their parent were most strongly linked to EUD for parents and adolescents. These findings underscore the importance considering the nature of connectedness in parent-adolescent relationships for understanding their SWB and EUD and point to opportunities for family-based interventions.