Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong pp 1–18Cite as

Family Quality of Life, Personal Well-Being, and Risk Behavior in Early Adolescents in Hong Kong: Related Phenomena and Research Gaps

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Quality of Life in Asia ((QLAS,volume 5))

Abstract

Family processes and positive youth development attributes are salient determinants of adolescent development. In this chapter, the influences of family factors (family functioning, parent-child relationship, parenting style, parent-child communication, parental marital problems, and economic disadvantage) and positive youth development attributes on the personal well-being of Chinese adolescents are reviewed. The review demonstrates that there are several limitations of the existing scientific literature in the Chinese context. First, in contrast to the abundance of Western studies, there is a lack of Chinese studies. Second, more emphasis should be put on understanding families from an ecological perspective. Third, few studies have examined both systemic and dyadic family processes in a single study. Fourth, positive youth development research is still in its infancy in different Chinese contexts. Fifth, there are few Chinese validated measures of personal well-being and family quality of life in the field. Sixth, there are few longitudinal studies in different Chinese societies. Finally, there are few studies in which multiple positive and negative measures of personal well-being are employed in one single study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barber, B. K. (1996). Parental psychological control: Revisiting a neglected construct. Child Development, 67(6), 3296–3319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bean, R. A., Barber, B. K., & Crane, D. R. (2006). Parental support, behavioral control, and psychological control among African American youth: The relationships to academic grades, delinquency, and depression. Journal of Family Issues, 27(10), 1335–1355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beveridge, R. M., & Berg, C. A. (2007). Parent-adolescent collaboration: An interpersonal model for understanding optimal interactions. Clinical Child and Family Psychology, 10(1), 25–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boughton, K. L., & Lumley, M. N. (2011). Parent prediction of child mood and emotional resilience: The role of parental responsiveness and psychological control. Depression Research and Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.hindawi.com/journals/drt/2011/375398/

  • Bracey, G., Montie, J. E., Xiang, Z. P., & Schweinhart, L. J. (2007). The IEA preliminary study: Findings and policy implications. Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catalano, R. F., Berglund, M. L., Ryan, J. A. M., Lonczak, H. S., & Hawkins, J. D. (2004). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 591(1), 98–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catalano, R. F., Hawkins, J. D., Berglund, M. L., Pollard, J. A., & Arthur, M. W. (2002). Prevention science and positive youth development: Competitive or cooperative frameworks? Journal of Adolescent Health, 31, 230–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Census and Statistics Department. (2007, November). Hong Kong monthly digest of statistics: Marriage and divorce trends in Hong Kong, 1981–2006. Hong Kong: Census and Statistics Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Census and Statistics Department. (2012). Hong Kong annual digest of statistics. Hong Kong: Census and Statistics Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, L., Mcbride-Chang, C., Stewart, S. M., & Au, E. (2003). Life satisfaction, self-concept, and family relations in Chinese adolescents and children. International Journal of Behavioural Development, 27, 182–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, P. C., & Lau, S. (1985). Self-esteem: Its relationship to the family and school social environments among Chinese adolescents. Youth and Society, 16, 438–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Children’s Council. (2006). Motion 4: The government should set up a task force to improve parent-child relationships. Retrieved from http://www.childrencouncil.org.hk/app/webroot/files/cms/4th_Motion4.pdf

  • Ciarrochi, J., Scott, G., Deane, F. P., & Heaven, P. C. L. (2003). Relations between social and emotional competence and mental health: A construct validation study. Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 1947–1963.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Commission on Poverty. (2013, September 13). Hong Kong’s first official poverty line – Purpose and value. Retrieved from: http://www.povertyrelief.gov.hk/eng/pdf/20130930_article.pdf

  • Conger, R. D. (2005). The effects of poverty and economic hardship across generations. Davis, CA: Centre for Public Policy Research, University of California, Davis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conger, R. D., & Conger, K. J. (2002). Resilience in Midwestern families: Selected findings from the first decade of a prospective, longitudinal study. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64, 361–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development. (2001). Broadening the horizon: Balancing protection and risk for adolescents. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Family Council. (2011, July 4). Policy recommendations arising from the four researches on child neglect, elderly neglect, youth drug abuse and youth prostitution. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.hk/#q=Donald+tsang+October+14+2009+legislative+council+meeting

  • Feldman, S. S., Wentzel, K. R., Weinberger, D. A., & Munson, J. A. (1990). Marital satisfaction of parents of preadolescent boys and its relationship to family and child functioning. Journal of Family Psychology, 4(2), 213–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fok, H. K., & Shek, D. T. L. (2011). A conceptual critique of parenting research in Hong Kong. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 23(2), 101–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao, Y., Yu, Y., & Ng, T. K. (2013). A study on the moderating effect of family functioning on the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and delinquency among Chinese adolescents. Advances in Applied Sociology, 3(3), 178–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gebauer, J. E., Riketta, M., Broemer, P., & Maio, G. R. (2008). Pleasure and pressure based prosocial motivation: Divergent relations to subjective well-being. Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 399–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, D. Y. F. (1981). Traditional patterns of socialization in Chinese society. Acta Psychologica Taiwanica, 23, 81–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, L., Marquis, J., Poston, D., Summers, J. A., & Turnbull, A. (2006). Assessing family outcomes: Psychometric evaluation of the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(4), 1069–1083.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong Kong Council of Social Service. (2012). Family and community services in Hong Kong. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com.hk/#q=increase+in+families+with+economic+disadvantage+in+Hong+Kong

  • Jessor, R., Turbin, M. S., Costa, F. M., Dong, Q., Zhang, H., & Wang, C. (2003). Adolescent problem behavior in China and the United States: A cross-national study of psychosocial protective factors. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13(3), 329–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, Y., & Moore, J. (2011). Parenting style and adolescents’ school performance in Mainland China. US-China Education Review, B1, 133–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korkeila, K., Kivela, S. L., Suominen, S., Vahtera, J., Kivmaki, M., Sundell, J., et al. (2004). Childhood adversities, parent-child relationships and dispositional optimism in adulthood. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 39(4), 286–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer, H. C., & Thiemann, S. (1987). How many subjects? Statistical power analysis in research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lai, Y. C. (2007). Personal and family correlates of suicidal ideation in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Hong Kong: The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lai Kwok, S. Y. C., & Shek, D. T. L. (2010). Personal and family correlates of suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 95, 407–419. doi:10.1007/s11205-009-9528-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lamborn, S. D., Mounts, N. S., Steinberg, L., & Dornbusch, S. M. (1991). Patterns of competence and adjustment among adolescents from authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful families. Child Development, 62, 1049–1065.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laudet, A. B., & White, W. L. (2008). Recovery capital as prospective predictor of sustained recovery, life satisfaction, and stress among former poly-substance users. Substance Use and Misuse, 43, 27–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law, B. M. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Self-harm and suicide attempts among young Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: Prevalence, correlates, and changes. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26, S26–S32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T. Y., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Compensated dating in Hong Kong: Prevalence, psychosocial correlates, and relationships with other risky behaviours. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26, S42–S48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, A., & Tsang, C. K. K. (2004). Youth risk behavior in a Chinese population: A territory-wide youth risk behavioral surveillance in Hong Kong. Public Health, 118, 88–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. T. Y., Wong, B. P., Chow, B. W. Y., & McBride-Chang, C. (2006). Predictors of suicide ideation and depression in Hong Kong adolescents: Perceptions of academic and family climates. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behaviour, 36(1), 82–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lent, R. W. (2004). Toward a unifying theoretical and practical perspective on well-being and psychosocial adjustment. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 51, 482–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, K., & Lau, S. (1989). Effects of self-concept and perceived disapproval on delinquent behavior in school children. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 18, 345–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luk, L. (2010). A review of the positive youth development and prevention programs for adolescents in Macau. Macau Journal of Nursing, 9(1), 21–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luk, L. (2011). Adopting a positive youth development program in Macau: Difficulties and challenges. Macau Journal of Nursing, 10(1), 35–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLoyd, V. C. (1990). The impact of economic hardship on black families and children: Psychological distress, parenting, and socioemotional development. Child Development, 61, 311–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mechanic, D., & Hansell, S. (1989). Divorce, family conflict, and adolescents’ well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, 30(1), 105–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., Russell, C. S., & Sprenkle, D. H. (1983). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: VI. Theoretical update. Family Process, 22(1), 69–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., Sprenkle, D. H., & Russell, C. S. (1979). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: I. Cohesion and adaptability dimensions, family types, and clinical applications. Family Process, 18(1), 3–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, H. S. (2000). Parent structure and support and adolescent problems: Delinquency, substance abuse, and peer and self-esteem deficits. Dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. D. (1995). Bowling alone: America’s declining social capital. Journal of Democracy, 6(1), 64–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruth, J. L., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2003). What exactly is a youth development program? Answers from research and practice. Applied Developmental Science, 7(2), 94–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57(3), 316–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (1993). Perceptions of parental treatment styles and psychological well-being in Chinese college students. Psychologia, 36, 159–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (1997). The relation of family functioning to adolescent psychological well-being, school adjustment, and problem behavior. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 158(4), 467–479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2001a). Chinese adolescents and their parents’ views on a happy family: Implications for family therapy. Family Therapy, 28(2), 73–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2001b). Paternal and maternal influences on family functioning among Hong Kong Chinese families. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 162(1), 56–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2002). Assessment of family functioning in Chinese adolescents: The Chinese version of the Family Assessment Device. Research on Social Work Practice, 12, 504–524.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2003). Economic stress, psychological well-being and problem behavior in Chinese adolescents with economic disadvantage. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32(4), 259–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2005a). A longitudinal study of perceived family functioning and adolescent adjustment in Chinese adolescents with economic disadvantage. Journal of Family Issues, 26, 518–543. doi:10.1177/0192513X04272618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2005b). Perceived parental control processes, parent-child relational qualities, and psychological well-being in Chinese adolescents with and without economic disadvantage. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 166, 171–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2006). Assessment of perceived parental psychological control in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Research on Social Work Practice, 16, 382–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2007). Intact and non-intact families in Hong Kong: Differences in perceived parental control processes, parent-child relational qualities, and adolescent psychological well-being. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 47(1–2), 157–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2008a). Economic disadvantage, perceived family life quality, and emotional well-being in Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal study. Social Indicators Research, 85(2), 169–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2008b). Perceived parental control processes, parent-child relational qualities, and adolescent psychological well-being in intact and non-intact families: Longitudinal findings in the Chinese culture. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 49(1–2), 171–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Sexual behaviour and intention to engage in sexual behaviour in junior secondary school students in Hong Kong. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26, S33–S41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Lee, T. Y. (2005). Hopelessness and Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: Demographic and family correlates. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 17, 279–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Lee, T. Y. (2007). Perceived parental control processes, parent-child relational qualities and psychological well-being of Chinese adolescents in intact and non-intact families in Hong Kong. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 19, 167–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Ma, C. M. S. (2011). Impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in the junior secondary school years: Individual growth curve analyses. The Scientific World Journal, 11, 253–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Ma, C. M. S. (2012). Impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in the junior secondary school years: Objective outcome evaluation based on eight waves of longitudinal data. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, Article ID 170345, 12 pp. doi:10.1100/2012/170345.

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Sun, R. C. F. (2010). Effectiveness of the Tier 1 program of Project P.A.T.H.S.: Findings based on three years of program implementation. The Scientific World Journal, 10, 1509–1519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Sun, R. C. F. (2013). Development of a positive youth development program in Hong Kong. In D. T. L. Shek & R. C. F. Sun (Eds.), Development and evaluation of positive adolescent training through holistic social programs (P.A.T.H.S.). Singapore/New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Tsui, P. F. (2012). Family and personal adjustment of economically disadvantaged Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. The Scientific World Journal. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415177/. doi:10.1100/2012/142689.

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Yu, L. (2011a). Prevention of adolescent problem behavior: Longitudinal impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong. The Scientific World Journal, 11, 546–567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Yu, L. (2011b). A review of validated youth prevention and positive youth development programs in Asia. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 23(4), 317–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D. T. L., & Yu, L. (2012). Longitudinal impact of the Project P.A.T.H.S. on adolescent risk behavior: What happened after five years. The Scientific World Journal, 2012, Article ID 316029, 13 pages. doi:10.1100/2012/316029.

  • Steinberg, L. (2001). The role of the family in adolescent development: Preventing risk, promoting resilience. Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network. Retrieved from: http://www1.cyfernet.org/conffav/05-01-Steinberg.html

  • Steinberg, L., Lamborn, S. D., Dornbusch, S. M., & Darling, N. (1992). Impact of parenting practices on adolescent achievement: Authoritative parenting, school involvement, and encouragement to succeed. Child Development, 63, 1266–1281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, L., Mounts, N. S., Lamborn, S. D., & Dornbusch, S. M. (1991). Authoritative parenting and adolescent adjustment across varied ecological niches. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 1, 19–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stivers, C. (1988). Parent-adolescent communication and its relationship to adolescent depression and suicide proneness. Adolescence, 23(90), 291–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2010). Life satisfaction, positive youth development, and problem behavior among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 95, 455–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2011). Positive youth development, life satisfaction and problem behavior among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: A replication. Social Indicators Research. Retrieved from: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11205-011-9786-9/fulltext.html

  • Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2012). Positive youth development, life satisfaction and problem behavior among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong: A replication. Social Indicators Research, 105(3), 541–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Longitudinal influences of positive youth development and life satisfaction on problem behavior among adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 114, 1171–1197. doi:10.1007/s11205-012-0196-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (1989). Using multivariate statistics. New York: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay, R. E., Pagani-Kurtz, L., Masse, L. C., Vitaro, F., & Pihi, R. O. (1995). A bimodal preventive intervention for disruptive kindergarten boys: Its impact through mid-adolescence. Journal of Counselling and Clinical Psychology, 63(4), 560–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vecchio, G. M., Gerbino, M., Pastorelli, C., Del Bove, G., & Caprara, G. V. (2007). Multi-faceted self-efficacy beliefs as predictors of life satisfaction in late adolescence. Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 1807–1818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wharton, A. S., & Blair-Loy, M. (2006). Long work hours and family life. Journal of Family Issues, 27(3), 415–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yip, P., Cheung, S. L. K., Tsang, S., Tse, S., Wong, O. L., Laidler, K., et al. (2011). A study on drug abuse among youths and family relationships. Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, L., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Internet addiction in Hong Kong adolescents: A three-year longitudinal study. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 26, S10–S17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The preparation for this work and the Project P.A.T.H.S. were financially supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong

    Daniel T. L. Shek Ph.D., B.B.S., S.B.S., J.P. & Catalina S. M. Ng Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Daniel T. L. Shek Ph.D., B.B.S., S.B.S., J.P.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Catalina S. M. Ng Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel T. L. Shek Ph.D., B.B.S., S.B.S., J.P. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hunghom, Hong Kong SAR

    Daniel T.L. Shek

  2. The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Education, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR

    Rachel C. F. Sun

  3. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong SAR

    Cecilia M.S. Ma

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Shek, D.T.L., Ng, C.S.M. (2014). Family Quality of Life, Personal Well-Being, and Risk Behavior in Early Adolescents in Hong Kong: Related Phenomena and Research Gaps. In: Shek, D., Sun, R., Ma, C. (eds) Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong. Quality of Life in Asia, vol 5. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-143-5_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation