Examination of APA (American Pyschological Association) books in the context of well-being and children's rights

In the study aimed at evaluating American Psychological Association (APA) books within the frameworks of well-being and children's rights, qualitative research design and document analysis methodologies were employed. The sample comprised 30 books believed to cater to the early childhood period, selected based on criteria such as APA approval, translation into Turkish, a page count of 32-44, and the inclusion of illustrations. Eight of these books were purchased, and access to the remaining 22 was via videos of the books available on YouTube. Of the total sample, 17 books are published by the Sabri Ülker Foundation, while 13 are by Okuyan Koala publications. According to the research findings, it was seen that APA books contain many positive statements about supporting well-being in children. The most common statements about well-being were self-regulation (f = 157), cognitive competence (f = 128), value behaviors (f = 126), psychological resilience (f = 110), physical health (f = 90), and social competence. It was determined that it was in the subcategories of assertiveness (f = 88), life satisfaction (f = 78), low internalization (f = 44), and low externalization (f = 35). It was concluded that almost all of the books contain statements about developing strategies for noticing, naming and regulating their emotions, thoughts and behaviors. In the contents of APA books, whose ultimate purpose is not to discuss or teach children's rights, the most common statements regarding children's rights were about the rights to development (f=190), participation (f=109), survival (f=83) and protection (f=46). Another result is that the sub-articles covered by the right to development affect children's well-being and support each other positively. While it was concluded that the use of APA books was functional in supporting well-being, it was seen that they could be used as introductory content in teaching children's rights. The findings were discussed on the basis of the literature and suggestions for the future were presented.