Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of after-school activities among Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong

Abstract

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Using a cross-sectional design, this study a) explores the prevalence of after-school activities among Chinese early adolescents and b) assesses the relationships between participation in after-school activities, personal well-being and family functioning. A total of 3,328 Grade 7 students (mean age = 12.59 years, SD = 0.74) completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results showed that the majority of adolescents returned home under adult supervision. Further analyses showed the associations between after-school activities, positive youth development qualities, academic and school competence, family functioning and risky behavior. Implications regarding efforts aimed at designing high quality and structured after-school youth programs are discussed.

Keywords

• Hong Kong
• family functioning
• positive youth development
• Chinese adolescents
• after-school activities