IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/chinre/v13y2020i2d10.1007_s12187-019-09638-2.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Relationship Between Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Chinese and Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Hong Kong: the Mediating Role of Positive Youth Development

Author

Listed:
  • Cecilia M. S. Ma

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Abstract

Studies have shown that perceived social support among adolescents is positively related to life satisfaction. However, research has yet to explore the underlying mechanisms in the linkage between social support and life satisfaction. The aims of this study were to: a) investigate whether positive youth development mediated the relationship between social support and life satisfaction and, b) compare whether these associations varied with ethnicity. Multi-group path analysis was employed to test a hypothesized model in a sample of 700 Chinese and ethnic minority adolescents in Hong Kong. Results showed that positive youth development does play a mediating role in the relationship between social support and life satisfaction. Analysis revealed that there was a positive relationship between family and friend support and positive youth development, which in turn was linked to life satisfaction. Those linkages appeared stronger in ethnic minority adolescents compared to their Chinese counterparts. This study has implications for practitioners designing appropriate youth programs for adolescents in the Chinese context.

Suggested Citation

  • Cecilia M. S. Ma, 2020. "The Relationship Between Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Chinese and Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Hong Kong: the Mediating Role of Positive Youth Development," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(2), pages 659-679, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:13:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s12187-019-09638-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-019-09638-2
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12187-019-09638-2
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12187-019-09638-2?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2010. "Life Satisfaction, Positive Youth Development, and Problem Behaviour Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 95(3), pages 455-474, February.
    2. Joseph M. Boden & Jackie Sanders & Robyn Munford & Linda Liebenberg & Geraldine F. H. McLeod, 2016. "Paths to Positive Development: a Model of Outcomes in the New Zealand Youth Transitions Study," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 9(4), pages 889-911, December.
    3. Catherine Ratelle & Karine Simard & Frédéric Guay, 2013. "University Students’ Subjective Well-being: The Role of Autonomy Support from Parents, Friends, and the Romantic Partner," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 893-910, June.
    4. Lili Tian & Benrong Liu & Siyuan Huang & E. Huebner, 2013. "Perceived Social Support and School Well-Being Among Chinese Early and Middle Adolescents: The Mediational Role of Self-Esteem," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 113(3), pages 991-1008, September.
    5. Feng Kong & Xuqun You, 2013. "Loneliness and Self-Esteem as Mediators Between Social Support and Life Satisfaction in Late Adolescence," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 271-279, January.
    6. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2013. "Longitudinal Influences of Positive Youth Development and Life Satisfaction on Problem Behaviour among Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1171-1197, December.
    7. Carmel Proctor & P. Linley & John Maltby, 2009. "Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(5), pages 583-630, October.
    8. Walsh, Sophie D. & Harel-Fisch, Yossi & Fogel-Grinvald, Haya, 2010. "Parents, teachers and peer relations as predictors of risk behaviors and mental well-being among immigrant and Israeli born adolescents," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(7), pages 976-984, April.
    9. Daniel Shek & Cecilia Ma, 2010. "Dimensionality of the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analyses," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 98(1), pages 41-59, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Cecilia M. S. Ma & Catie C. W. Lai, 2021. "Contextual Influence of Risk and Protective Factors on Chinese Adolescent Psychological Well-Being, Delinquent Behavior and Academic Performance: the Role of Family and Friends," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(6), pages 2351-2369, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xiaoqin Zhu & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2020. "The Influence of Adolescent Problem Behaviors on Life Satisfaction: Parent–Child Subsystem Qualities as Mediators," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(5), pages 1767-1789, October.
    2. Cecilia M. S. Ma & Catie C. W. Lai, 2021. "Contextual Influence of Risk and Protective Factors on Chinese Adolescent Psychological Well-Being, Delinquent Behavior and Academic Performance: the Role of Family and Friends," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(6), pages 2351-2369, December.
    3. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2013. "Longitudinal Influences of Positive Youth Development and Life Satisfaction on Problem Behaviour among Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1171-1197, December.
    4. Wenyu Chai & Xiang Li & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2022. "The Effectiveness of a Leadership Subject Using a Hybrid Teaching Mode during the Pandemic: Objective Outcome and Subjective Outcome Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Cecilia M. S. Ma & Daniel T. L. Shek & Jenna M. T. Chen, 2019. "Changes in the Participants in a Community-Based Positive Youth Development Program in Hong Kong: Objective Outcome Evaluation Using a One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(4), pages 961-979, September.
    6. Daniel T. L. Shek & Lu-Yin Liang, 2018. "Psychosocial Factors Influencing Individual Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: a Six-Year Longitudinal Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(3), pages 561-584, September.
    7. Daniel Shek & Ting Liu, 2014. "Life Satisfaction in Junior Secondary School Students in Hong Kong: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(3), pages 777-794, July.
    8. Zi Jia Ng & Eugene Scott Huebner & Alberto Maydeu-Olivares & Kimberly Joy Hills, 2018. "Confirmatory Factor Analytic Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) in a Longitudinal Sample of Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(4), pages 1237-1247, August.
    9. Daniel Shek & Xiang Li, 2016. "Perceived School Performance, Life Satisfaction, and Hopelessness: A 4-Year Longitudinal Study of Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 126(2), pages 921-934, March.
    10. Daniel Shek & Li Lin, 2014. "Personal Well-Being and Family Quality of Life of Early Adolescents in Hong Kong: Do Economic Disadvantage and Time Matter?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(3), pages 795-809, July.
    11. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2012. "Positive Youth Development, Life Satisfaction and Problem Behaviour Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: A Replication," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 105(3), pages 541-559, February.
    12. Jacky C. K. Ng & Victor C. Y. Lau & Sylvia Xiahua Chen, 2020. "Why are Dispositional Enviers not Satisfied With Their Lives? An Investigation of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Pathways Among Adolescents and Young Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 525-545, February.
    13. Daniel T. L. Shek & Li Lin, 2017. "Trajectories of Personal Well-Being Attributes Among High School Students in Hong Kong," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(4), pages 841-866, December.
    14. Deniz Yucel & Anastasia S. Vogt Yuan, 2016. "Parents, Siblings, or Friends? Exploring Life Satisfaction among Early Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 11(4), pages 1399-1423, December.
    15. Yongquan Huo & Feng Kong, 2014. "Moderating Effects of Gender and Loneliness on the Relationship Between Self-esteem and Life Satisfaction in Chinese University Students," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 118(1), pages 305-314, August.
    16. Robert F. Valois & Jelani C. Kerr & Michael P. Carey & Larry K. Brown & Daniel Romer & Ralph J. DiClemente & Peter A. Vanable, 2020. "Neighborhood Stress and Life Satisfaction: Is there a Relationship for African American Adolescents?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(1), pages 273-296, March.
    17. Xinli Chi & Xiaofeng Liu & Qiaomin Huang & Xiumin Cui & Li Lin, 2020. "The Relationship between Positive Youth Development and Depressive Symptoms among Chinese Early Adolescents: A Three-Year Cross-Lagged Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, September.
    18. Daniel T. L. Shek & Li Lin, 2016. "What Predicts Adolescent Delinquent Behavior in Hong Kong? A Longitudinal Study of Personal and Family Factors," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 129(3), pages 1291-1318, December.
    19. Sukkyung You & Sun Ah Lim & Eui Kyung Kim, 2018. "Relationships Between Social Support, Internal Assets, and Life Satisfaction in Korean Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 897-915, March.
    20. Wang Liu & Jie Mei & Lili Tian & E. Huebner, 2016. "Age and Gender Differences in the Relation Between School-Related Social Support and Subjective Well-Being in School Among Students," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 125(3), pages 1065-1083, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:13:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s12187-019-09638-2. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.