Subjective well-being among adolescent waste pickers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

• Main Author: Sethul, Hoeur
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2011
• Subjects: Ragpickers; Counseling
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/4137; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/10975/viewcontent/CDTG005147_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study investigated the subjective well-being (SWB) of selected adolescent waste pickers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It included the waste pickers concepts of subjective well-being and the factors that determine their subjective well-being as individuals. In looking for these subjective well-being concepts and determinant factors, this study employed the exploratory qualitative research method through a series of in-depth interviews, case study, and focus group discussion (FGD). The data for this study were drawn from fifteen (15) waste picker respondents from the dumping place at Doung Kor District. Ten (10) of these waste picker respondents were inter-viewed and five (5) of them were made participants in the focus group discussion (FGD). Five (5) of the ten (10) interviewed waste picker participants are male and the other five (5) are female. The FGD group of another five is composed of three females and two males of adolescent waste pickers. The findings revealed that adolescent waste pickers concepts of SWB summarily centered on three (3) domains: social/relational, cognitive, and affective. The factors that determined the waste pickers concept of SWB included the following factors: personal, interpersonal, and financial. Personal factors involved categories iii such as physical health, good disposition in life, feeling free from pressure, positive outlook in life, being able to learn from experiences and freedom. For the interpersonal factor, taken into consideration are supportive and caring friends, being able to help family and friends, true and trusted friends, communication, getting help from NGOs and Christian churches, harmonious relationship with family, loving and caring family, and getting involved in community activities were the factors that contributed to participants concept of happiness. Finally, financial factor included satisfaction of basic need, and financial security.