The Influence of Meaning in Life on Adolescents' Hedonic Well-Being and Risk Behaviour : Implications for Social Work

Li LIN, Daniel T.L. SHEK*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The strength-based approach argues that promoting adolescents' developmental assets would contribute to their well-being. This study investigated meaning in life (MIL) as one of such developmental assets. Based on the annual assessment of 3,328 Hong Kong Chinese adolescents from Grade 7 to Grade 12, we found that MIL at Grade 7 predicted heightened hedonic well-being and reduced risk behaviour at Grade 12; slower decrease in MIL from Grade 7 to Grade 11 predicted heightened hedonic well-being and reduced risk behaviour at Grade 12 with the initial level of outcomes controlled. Findings highlight the importance of MIL as a developmental asset fostering adolescent well-being. Implications of the findings for advancing theory of MIL and social work practice are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5-24
Number of pages20
JournalBritish Journal of Social Work
Volume49
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Chinese adolescents
  • hedonic well-being
  • longitudinal study
  • Meaning in life
  • risk behaviour

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