TITLE:
Staying Single or Saying “I Do”: Exploring Well-Being Differences among Adolescents in Abu Dhabi
AUTHORS:
Masood Badri, Mugheer Alkhaili, Hamad Aldhaheri, Guang Yang, Saad Yaaqeib, Muna Albahar, Asma Alrashdi, Alanood Alsawai
KEYWORDS:
Adolescents, Marital Intention, Well-Being, Social Engagement, Mental Health, Abu Dhabi
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
23,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study examines the well-being differences between adolescents aged 15 -19 in Abu Dhabi who intend to marry and those who do not, using data from the 5th Quality of Life survey. The analysis focuses on various well-being indicators, including subjective physical and mental health, social relationships, and life satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA are employed to identify significant differences between the two groups. The results reveal that adolescents intending to marry experience higher levels of anxiety but report greater social engagement, life satisfaction, healthy lifestyle behaviours (eating healthy food, and sport and activities), and religious practices (often practising religion) compared to their peers who do not plan to marry. However, no significant differences were observed in indicators such as sadness, loneliness, and trust in others, suggesting that marital intentions influence some aspects of adolescent well-being less. These findings highlight the complex interplay of social, psychological, and behavioural factors shaping adolescent well-being, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.