“UNHAPPY” Environment for Adolescent Development in Hong Kong

Protests in Hong Kong (2019–2020): a Perspective Based on Quality of Life and Well-Being

“…With the introduction of more self-financed sub-degree and degree programs, many graduates are not able to move up the social ladder because the real income for university graduates has been quite stagnant since the handover (New Century Forum and New Youth Forum 2015). Again, lack of upward social mobility triggers negative emotions in young people which eventually promotes a sense of hopelessness in young people (Shek and Siu 2019b). This also explains why young people have psychological resistance to return to China because their lives have not improved much after the handover.…”

“…Young people in Hong Kong face many psychosocial stresses, including academic stress, low income, high property price, long working hours, and a small living environment. Shek and Siu (2019b) argued that the developmental context for Hong Kong adolescents is "unhappy", including unhealthy values, de-emphasis of holistic youth development, rise in hopelessness but drop in life satisfaction, emphasis on academic excellence but de-emphasis on academic quality of life, poverty, parenting issues, and drop in family well-being. Obviously, stresses and risk factors in adolescent development can easily be translated into poor mental health amongst young people.…”

“…In other words, the well-being of adolescents in Hong Kong is at risk. In the special issue edited by Shek and Siu (2019b), the papers show that mental health is a growing concern in young people in Hong Kong. There are also findings suggesting that mental health problems in university students are prevalent (Lo et al 2018.…”

Improving the Health and Well-Being of Adolescents in Hong Kong

“…The supplement accompanying this issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health focuses on the health of young people growing up in Hong Kong. In his introduction to the supplement, Dr. Daniel Shek states, "It is our modest wish that through this Supplement, our understanding and further discussion on the nature of adolescent developmental issues in Hong Kong, regional and global contexts will be promoted which will further enrich our knowledge on how adolescent developmental problems can be minimized" [1]. From my perspective, Dr. Shek is proposing a call to action for policymakers and health care providers not only in Hong Kong but also throughout the world: Those of us in the Adolescent Health and Medicine community must use regional health and risk indicators within the context of adolescent development to improve positive health outcomes and minimize the negative health outcomes through positive youth development (PYD).…”

“…Shek's introduction, "UNHAPPY Environment for Adolescent Development in Hong Kong," calls out ecological risk factors that contribute to negative adolescent development in Hong Kong [1]. This editorial sets the stage for the supplement by describing some unique factors of the context and culture of growing up in Hong Kong.…”