Delayed gratification and psychosocial wellbeing among high-risk youth in rehabilitation: A latent change score analysis. Issue 3 (31st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poon, Cyanea Y. S.; Chan, Christian S.; Tang, Kristen N. S.
• Is Part Of: Applied developmental science. Volume 25:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 272
• Page End: 288
• Publication Date: 2021-05-31
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Developmental psychology -- Periodicals; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2019.1596808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1088-8691

Abstract

Abstract: This multiwave longitudinal study investigated the dynamic relationship between gratification delay and three facets of well-being among a group of high-risk youth in a residential therapeutic community: life satisfaction, life flourishing, and lack of depressive symptoms. We collected four waves of data from 111 Hong Kong youths (75.7% male, mean age = 17.7) over one year. We employed latent change score analysis to examine the univariate and bivariate changes of levels of gratification delay and well-being indicators, accounting for gender, drug history, and duration of stay. Results suggest a positive growth trajectory in gratification delay and psychosocial well-being. Delayed gratification was associated with subsequent changes in all three psychosocial well-being indicators and had a reciprocal effect with life flourishing. The findings shed light on delayed gratification as a possible predictor of well-being in high-risk youth and highlight the potential contribution of incorporating training of gratification delay in their rehabilitation.