Personal concerns and their causes: perceptions of Hong Kong Chinese adolescent students

This study investigated the personal concerns and causes of difficulties perceived by Hong Kong adolescent students. A survey of 2103 secondary school students in Year 1 to Year 3 indicated that both students' concerns and causes are multi-dimensional. Academic achievement was perceived as the most pressing concern, while problems at home and maladjusted behaviour were seen as lesser concerns. Students attributed their difficulties more to personal deficiencies, and least to family factors. Results also showed significant gender, age and school banding effects. Implications of the findings for educationalists and psychologists working with adolescents in school contexts are discussed.