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Assessing the Personal-Social Development of Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents

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Abstract

A 60-item measure, the Personal-Social Development Self-Efficacy Inventory (PSD-SEI) was developed to assess personal-social development self-efficacy among adolescents in Hong Kong. The PSD-SEI was administered to 6,776 Grade 10–13 students in Hong Kong. Principal components analysis with varimax solutions yielded seven meaningful factors: 1. Self-Realization, 2. Leadership and Teamwork, 3. Emotional, Physical and Social Wellness, 4. Interests and Life Goals 5. Relationships, 6. Avoiding Drugs, Excessive Drinking and Smoking, and 7. Finance and Self-Care. Reliability analyses showed that the total scale and subscales were internally consistent. The data suggested that Hong Kong adolescents had some but not strong confidence in their personal-social development. Boys were more confident in self-realization and maintaining wellness; girls were more confident in leadership and teamwork, relationship with the opposite sex, and avoiding drugs, excessive drinking, and smoking. This study is the first attempt to develop and validate a personal-social development self-efficacy measure for Chinese adolescents. Further research and applications of the PSD-SEI for the quality enhancement of personal-social development programmes in schools are discussed.

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Acknowledgement

This study was financially supported by the Quality Education Fund (2000/2821) and the Research Grants Council of the UGC (HKU 7295/03H), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

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Correspondence to Mantak Yuen.

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Yuen, M., Hui, E.K.P., Lau, P.S.Y. et al. Assessing the Personal-Social Development of Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents. Int J Adv Counselling 28, 317–330 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-006-9017-2

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