Examination of American Psychological Association Books in the Context of Well-Being and Children’s Rights

Abstract

In this study, which aims to examine American Psychological Association (APA) books in the context of well-being and children's rights, the document analysis method, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The research sample consists of 30 books. Psychological Well-Being Review Checklist in Children's Illustrated Books and Child Rights Review Checklist in Children's Illustrated Books were used as data collection tools. The data obtained through descriptive analysis are presented with frequencies and direct quotations. According to the findings, it was seen that APA books contain many positive statements about supporting well-being in children. It was determined that the most statements about well-being were in the self-regulation and the least statements were in the low externalization categories. In the contents of APA books, whose ultimate purpose is not to teach children's rights, the most statements about children's rights were about development and least about protection. Another conclusion is that the articles regarding the right to development positively support well-being. In summary, it was determined that APA books contain implicit content for teaching children's rights and can be functionally used to support well-being.