by Chun-fat Lin. / Thesis submitted in: December 1997. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-108). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgments --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.iv / List of Tables --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Appendices --- p.viii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1 --- Background of the Problem / Chapter 1.1 --- Stress and Secondary School Students --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Coping Behaviour of Secondary School Students --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3. --- Gender and Age Difference in Coping Behaviour --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4. --- The Influence of Family Environment on Coping Behaviour --- p.4 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Chapter 2.1. --- Adolescent Coping / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Conceptualization of Adolescent Coping --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Situational and Dispositional Factors in Adolescent Coping --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Development of Adolescent Coping Instrument (COPE) --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- Gender and Ethnic Differences in Coping / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Coping Behaviour of Males --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Coping Behaviour of Females --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Age Differences in Coping --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Ethnic Differences in Coping --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3 --- Family Environments and Adolescent Coping / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Family Environments as Sources of Stress and Support --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- The Influence of Parenting Styles on Adolescent Coping --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- The Influence of Family Environments on Adolescent Coping --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Family Environment Scales ( FES ) --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Relationships Between Family Environment Subscales and Coping Strategies --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Relationships Between Family Environments and Coping Strategies --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4 --- "Chinese Confucian Culture, Family Relations and Adolescent Socialization" / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Essences of Chinese Confucian Culture --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Family Structure and Adolescent --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Adolescent Socialization in Family Context --- p.40 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY / Chapter 3.1. --- Overview of the Study --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Significance of the Study --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3. --- Subjects / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Pilot Study --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Main Study --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Instruments / Chapter 3.4.1 --- COPE --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Family Environment Scale (FES) --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5 --- Procedure --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- RESULTS / Chapter 4.1 --- Descriptive Statistics of the Whole Sample --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2 --- Coping Strategies of Adolescents / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Rank Order of Question Items of COPE --- p.57 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Descriptive Statistics of COPE --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Gender and Age Difference in Coping --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.3.1 --- Gender Difference in Coping --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.3.2 --- Age Difference in Coping --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3. --- Family Environments Perceived by Adolescents --- p.66 / Chapter 4.4 --- Family Environment Types (FETs) / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Demographic Information of FETs --- p.68 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Description of FETs Based on FES Subscales --- p.70 / Chapter 4.5 --- Family Environment Types and Coping Strategies --- p.74 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 5.1 --- Coping Strategies of Adolescents --- p.77 / Chapter 5.2 --- Family Environments Perceived by Adolescents --- p.79 / Chapter 5.3 --- Relationship between Coping Strategies and Family Environments --- p.80 / Chapter 5.4 --- Family Environment Types --- p.81 / Chapter 5.5 --- Family Environment Types and Coping Strategies --- p.82 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Expressive FET --- p.83 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Conflictual-Controlling FET --- p.84 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Permissive FET --- p.84 / Chapter 5.5.4 --- Cohesive-Organized FET --- p.85 / Chapter 5.5.5 --- Crucial Role of Control in FETs --- p.86 / Chapter 5.6 --- Implications of Findings --- p.87 / Chapter 5.7 --- Limitations of the Study --- p.91 / Chapter 5.8 --- Directions of Future Research --- p.92 / REFERENCES --- p.95 / APPENDICES / Appendix 1 Number of Items and Descriptions of Items of COPE Subscales --- p.109 / Appendix 2 Number of Items and Descriptions of Items of FES Subscales --- p.110 / Appendix 3 Reliability Coefficients of COPE in Other Studies --- p.111 / Appendix 4 Inter-correlations between subscales of COPE --- p.112 / Appendix 5 Reliability Coefficients of FES in Other Studies --- p.113 / Appendix 6 Inter-correlations between subscales of FES --- p.114 / Appendix 7 Inter-correlations between subscales of FES and COPE --- p.115

School garden programs have become increasingly popular for their diverse, positive benefits. School gardens are often promoted as a relatively low cost means to offer hands-on learning opportunities that may foster academic achievement, particularly in the sciences, however only six studies have been published on the impact of garden education programs on science achievement. Five out of six of these studies focused on elementary age students. One study has identified motivational engagement as the mechanism responsible for fostering academic success. School gardens are more common in elementary schools. However, they may be most beneficial in a secondary school setting, when students tend to lose interest in academics and often perform poorly on national assessments of science. Thus, in this study we evaluated adolescent students at three schools with well-established garden education programs. We used pre-test and post-test measures to see how students' levels of various predictors of engagement (e.g. autonomy, competence, relatedness, and intrinsic motivation), actual engagement (in the realms of academics, science, and the garden), garden learning, and academic achievement measures (e.g. overall grade point average and science grade point average) would change over the course of this study. We also assessed how the different realms of engagement correlated with predictors of engagement, with garden learning, and with academic achievement measures. In addition, we examined correlations among the different realms of engagement. At one of the schools, a non-gardening group participated in the study as a control group. Thus, we also compared the gain scores in predictors of engagement, engagement, and academic achievement between the control and garden group from that school. At all three schools, academic or garden engagement significantly increased for the garden groups. Garden engagement was significantly correlated with academic engagement, science engagement, or both, at each of the three schools for post-test measures. Predictors of garden-based engagement were significantly correlated with academic and/or science engagement at each school, at least for post-test measures. These results show that gardening may have the potential to be a contributor to positive motivational changes that in turn can be related across academic domains. The non-gardening group showed significant gains in predictors of- and engagement itself, while the gardening group either marginally declined or maintained its level. However, the non-gardening group had significantly lower pre-test scores in comparison to the gardening group, which in part accounts for their comparative significant gain. The garden group showed significant increases in predictors of garden engagement and garden engagement itself. These results show that the garden group, comprised of at-risk students, are experiencing positive motivational benefits, which can possibly prevent further decline in their general performance. The lack of improvement in academic achievement suggests that the full academic benefit of garden education programs has yet to be consistently reached. We recommend that researchers use a more refined evaluation test and survey, specific to the garden program at hand and include qualitative measures. / Graduation date: 2013

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

Dissertation / This study examined the experiential world of adolescents in the middle and late phases of adolescent development with homosexual parents. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore homosexual parenting and societal reactions to this phenomenon. Thereafter, Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological systems theory of child development was highlighted followed by a synopsis comprising different dimensions of the development of adolescents in the middle and late phases of adolescent development. The empirical investigation was carried out through qualitative research methodology. In-depth case studies selected by purposeful sampling were carried out with three adolescents, each of whom had a homosexual father. Although the qualitative data is not generalisable, the findings of the case studies revealed similarities in the life worlds of the adolescents. The participants were affected by the discovery of their father’s homosexuality, but they chose to accept their father’s sexual orientation and sought a relationship with him. Finally, recommendations for practice were made. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Afrikaans text / Met hierdie studie is beoog om leerders se persepsies van skool vas te stel en om riglyne vir ouers daar te stel om leerders met negatiewe persepsies van skool te hanteer. Daar is beoog om hierdie riglyne deur middel van praktiese modelle en werksvelle te implementeer sodat ouers begrip vir kinders se persepsies kan verkry en dat konflik opgelos kan word deur middel van positiewe kommunikasie. In die literatuurstudie word ondersoek ingestel na persepsievorming en die oorsake vir die vorming van negatiewe persepsies van skool. ‘n Persepsie word gevorm deurdat betekenis aan ‘n ervaring, op grond van die persoon se verwysingsraamwerk gegee word. Interne- sowel as eksterne faktore speel ‘n rol wanneer persepsies gevorm word. Eksterne faktore behels die verhouding met rolspelers soos: die ouers, die skool en onderwysers, die portuurgroep en die leerder se verhouding met homself. Interne faktore wat in hierdie studie ondersoek is, behels: lokus van kontrole, motivering, emosionele probleme, kognitiewe probleme en gedragsprobleme.Die navorsingsprobleem is verken met behulp van ‘n loodsondersoek as ‘n voortoets en diagnostiese vraelys wat deur die navorsingsgroep van 50 leerders voltooi is. Onderhoude is met vyf leerders gevoer oor hulle ervaringe en behoeftes met betrekking tot hulle persepsies van skool. Bevindinge dui aan dat ongeveer ‘n vyfde van die skool se leerders oor ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool beskik. In die vraelys is leerders se persepsies ten opsigte van verskeie rolspelers vasgestel. Daar bestaan behoefte by leerders dat ouers betrokke en ondersteunend sal wees en dat ouers begrip vir hulle persepsies sal toon. Deur middel van praktiese diagramme en werksvelle is begrip en positiewe kommunikasie tussen ouer en kind bewerkstellig. In Hoofstuk 6 word praktiese riglyne aan ouers gegee oor hoe om sy kind, met ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool, te hanteer. Op hierdie wyse is gepoog dat leerders positiewe ervaringe sal geniet; ‘n positiewe verwysingsraamwerk sal vorm en sodoende positiewe persepsies van skool sal vorm. ‘n Bydrae is ten opsigte van ouerleiding gelewer. Ouers word toegerus om ‘n kind met negatiewe persepsies van skool met begrip te hanteer. / The aim of this study was to determine learners’ perceptions of school and to provide guidelines for parents to deal with negative perceptions of school. These guidelines were implemented using practical models as well as work sheets. These were specifically aimed at enhancing parents’ understanding of the negative perceptions and resolving conflict through positive communication. In the literary study, the constitution of perceptions as well as the causes of the constitution of negative perceptions was investigated. A perception is established when a person gives meaning to an experience based on that person’s frame of reference. Internal and external factors play a part when perceptions are constituted. External factors in this study entail the relationship with parents, school and teachers, peer group and the learner's relationship with himself. Internal factors referred to in this study are locus of control, motivation, emotional problems, cognitive problems and behavioural problems. vii The research problem was explored using a pilot investigation as pre-test. A diagnostic questionnaire was also completed by 50 learners. Five learners were interviewed about their experiences and needs specifically in relation to their perceptions of school. Findings show that approximately one fifth of the learners of the school have negative perceptions of school. In the questionnaire, the learners’ perceptions with respect to a variety of role players were determined. There is a definite need for parents to be involved and supportive. Learners also need them to show understanding for their perceptions. Positive communication and understanding between parents and learners were established through practical diagrams and work sheets. In Chapter 6 practical guidelines are given to equip parents to understand how to handle the child with negative perceptions. The aim of this was to encourage learners to enjoy positive experiences, to form a positive frame of reference and therefore develop positive perceptions of school. A contribution towards parental guidance was made. Parents are left equipped to deal with a child with negative perceptions of school. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

The focus of this dissertation revolved around the phenomenon of friendship, specifically amongst adolescents. Friendship is a universal phenomenon, that occurs in every race, culture and religion. Within friendship there are some universal aspects that were investigated. The research attempted to understand the phenomenon of friendship amongst the developmental phase of the adolescent. Furthermore, the effect of friendship on the adolescent’s general psychological functioning had been investigated. The research came to the conclusion that friendship does have a positive influence on an adolescent’s general psychological functioning but that some psychological factors, such as communication skills, social skills and self confidence need to be developed to a certain extent in order for friendship to have a positive influence on the adolescent’s psychological functioning. If these psychological factors are however not in place, friendship may to a certain extent highlight an adolescent’s weaknesses and reinforce his/her social inadequacy, inferiority, lack of self confidence and negative self talk. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The primary aim of this research was to determine whether the home environment of secondary school children has an influence on their academic performance. A literature study was done where the major aspects of the home environment were identified: family lifestyle, parental involvement and attitude, physical living conditions. An analysis of academic performance and the factors affecting it was done. A measuring instrument was developed in order to measure the home environment in terms of being positive or negative. The results of the empirical research indicated that while home environment and age do play a significant role in the academic performance of secondary school children, gender, maternal employment, and whether the child lives permanently with both parents, did not. The educational implications of the findings and the teacher's role are discussed, and guidelines regarding the development of a home environment conducive to better academic performance are given. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Text in Afrikaans / Die invloed van die persoonskonstruk, lokus van kontrole, op die akademiese prestasie van leerlinge in die senior sekondere skoolfase is aangespreek. Literatuur bevestig 'n verband tussen lokus van kontrole en akademiese prestasie. Interne kontrole word met hoe akademiese prestasie en verantwoordelikheidsaanvaarding geassosieer. Persoonlikheidskenmerke van intern of ekstern georienteerde leerlinge, die invloed van lokus van kontrole op persoonlike perspektief, selfkonsep en akademiese prestasie toon dat internes hulself as bekwaam, effektief en suksesvol beskou terwyl eksternes meer negatiewe persoonskenmerke beklemtoon. Die CNS-IE en IAR vraelyste is gebruik om algemene- en akademiese lokus van kontrole onderskeidelik te meet. Leerlinge wat akademies volgens vermoe presteer, behaal hoer interne tellings as die wat onderpresteer. Geen een-tot-een verwantskap tussen lokus van kontrole en akademiese prestasie is tydens die empiriese ondersoek gevind nie. Daar is dus ander faktore wat saam met lokus van kontrole die akademiese prestasie van senior sekondere leerlinge beinvloed. / The influence of the personality construct, locus of control, on the academic achievement of pupils in the senior secondary school phase was investigated. Literature confirms a relation between locus of control and academic achievement. Internal control is associated with high academic achievement and acceptance of responsibility. Personality characteristics of internals and externals, the influence of locus of control on personal perspective, self-concept and academic achievement shows that internals view themselves as capable, ef cient and succesful while externals emphasise more negative personality characteristics. The CNS IE and IAR were used to measure general and academic locus of control. Academic achievers obtained higher internal scores than underachievers on both questionnaires. The results of the Empirical research indicate that locus of control is not the sole determinant of academic achievement. Therefore, other factors in conjunction with locus of control influence academic achievement. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between seventh, tenth, and twelfth graders' participation in school choir and their perceived levels of self-concept and social support. The problems of the study were to determine (1) if there were significant differences in perceived self-concept and social support levels of choir members and non-music students, and (2) if there were significant changes in self-concept and social support of choir members from grades seven to ten to twelve. A secondary concern was school activity involvement, to guard against attributing significant differences of self-concept and social support to choir participation alone.

郁之虹. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 335-354). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Yu Zhihong.