Relations between One- and Two-Parent Families and Young Adults' Happiness Scores

Relations were examined between one- and two-parent families and scores for young adults' happiness. Data were from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) and included 3,580 men and 3,991 women whose average age was 20.2 yr. (SD = 0.5) in 2000. Happiness was measured using the 14-item LSAY 2000 Happiness Scale, while family structure was assessed by the young people's responses to questions about who lived in their households. Analysis indicated that there were a number of small but meaningful differences (effect size d ≥ .20) in the happiness scores of young adults from single- and two-parent families.