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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 5-24 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | British Journal of Social Work |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 The Author(s).
Funding
The Project P.A.T.H.S. and this paper are financially supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
Keywords
- Chinese adolescents
- hedonic well-being
- longitudinal study
- Meaning in life
- risk behaviour
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