Subjective Well-Being of Orphans

Abstract

This study aims to identify differences in subjective well-being of children raised in Islamic orphanages based on the characteristics of orphanage, age and sex of children, family status, and length of stay in the orphanage. This studi is part of Research and Development which aims to develop mindful parenting program in Islamic orphanage by involving orphans and caregivers in the process of research. The sample of this research is 49 children aged 6–13 years (14 boys and 35 girls) lived in orphanages located in Bandung. The subjective wellbeing data involves life satisfaction and happiness, which is collected using Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale (MLSS) from Huebner adapted into Indonesian and open-ended questions compiled by researchers. The data shows that orphans who live in same-sex orphanage are happier than those who live in opposite-sex orphanage. The descriptive data indicates 86,67% of orphans in girls orphanage are happy, while only 38,89% orphans in girls–boys orphanage are happy. In addition to previoulsy already described, the results show that there is no difference in life satisfaction based on the characteristics of the orphanage, and there is no difference in life satisfaction and happiness based on the age and sex of the orphans, family status, and the length of stay in the orphanage.