Possible selves, strategies and perceived likelihood among adolescents in Hong Kong: desire and concern

Abstract

Possible selves provide a new perspective and a systematic way to learn about adolescents' envisioning of their own future. Literature shows some patterns of possible selves are universal worldwide while some are sensitive to context and culture. This study adapted the open-ended Possible Selves Questionnaire into Chinese and explored the general patterns of possible selves among adolescents in Chinese context. 3078 secondary school students in Hong Kong were surveyed about their possible selves and demographic factors. It is found that adolescents have more career- and school-related hoped-for possible selves and have more drug and risky behaviour feared possible selves. Adolescents have less strategy, especially concrete strategy for their possible selves. Gender and age differences were examined and potential contextual and cultural influences were discussed.

Keywords

• hoped-for possible selves
• feared possible selves
• strategy
• perceived likelihood
• Hong Kong adolescents