published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Kong, Pik Shan. / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-178). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.

published_or_final_version / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between two external contingencies of self-worth (CSWs) in relation to Internet addiction among adolescents in Hong Kong. Based on past studies which indicated that external CSWs are vulnerable to threat, heighten perception of future interpersonal threat, and result in self-regulation problems, it was hypothesized that social competence and other approval CSW would be positively related to Internet addiction, and that this relationship would be mediated by perceived interpersonal threat. In addition, it was predicted that differences would be found in adolescents with high and low levels of perceived social competence. 804 local adolescents aged 11 to 19 participated in the study. Results of analyses supported the relationship between social competence and other approval CSWs and Internet addiction, which was mediated by perceived interpersonal threat. Perceived social competence was found to buffer the impact of perceived threat for individuals with social competence CSW. Findings are discussed within a cognitive-behavioral framework and potential clinical implications are suggested. / published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Recent medical advances in cancer screening and treatments have led to dramatically decreasing mortality rates from cancer among children and adolescents. However, the cancer itself and the adverse effects of treatments remain severely devastating to their physical and psychological well-being, both during and after treatments. Numerous studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity is related to various physiological and psychological benefits for children and adolescents under cancer treatments. Nevertheless, a review of the literature reveals that children and adolescents commonly present declining levels of physical activity throughout their cancer treatments. There is so far no study has investigated the physical activity level and behaviour in particular, the influencing factors affecting the physical activity level among Hong Kong Chinese children and adolescents with cancer. Therefore, this study aimed (1) to assess and compare the physical activity levels and behaviour of healthy children and adolescents with those of children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatments and (2) to explore the various factors that influence the physical activity levels of children and adolescents with cancer in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional study, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, was conducted. A total of 76 children and adolescents (9-to 18-year-olds) who were admitted for treatment of cancer in a paediatric oncology unit and 148 healthy counterparts who were participated in two health carnivals in Hong Kong were invited to participate in the study. Their physical activity levels, stages of change for exercise, self-efficacy for physical activity and quality of life were assessed and compared. A total of 25 participants with cancer were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. The results of this study indicated that children and adolescents with cancer in current situation had significantly decreased levels of physical activity when compared with the premorbid situation or the healthy counterparts. The study also showed that children and adolescents with cancer presented significantly lower levels of physical activity, self-efficacy, stage of change for exercise and quality of life than the healthy participants. Furthermore, qualitative interviews revealed that the negative impacts from cancer and its treatments, the discouragement of and misunderstanding concerning physical activity, and the space limitations in Hong Kong were important factors that disengaged these young people from regular physical activity while under treatment. This study has addressed an literature gap by assessing the levels of physical activity, self-efficacy, stage of change, and quality of life among children and adolescents with cancer as compared to their healthy counterparts. The results provide further evidence that cancer and its treatments induce negative impact on the physical, psychological well-being and the quality of life in children and adolescents with cancer. It is essential for healthcare professionals to detect physical inactivity at an early stage so that appropriate interventions can be applied to correct any misunderstandings about physical activity among children and adolescents with cancer and their parents. Most importantly, interventions should be designed to promote the adoption of regular physical activity for these patients, with the aim of enhancing their physical and psychological well-being. / published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education