| Author: | Ho, Wynants Wai Lun |
| Title: | Family influence on self-harm and suicidal behavior of adolescents in Hong Kong : secondary data analysis |
| Advisors: | Shek, T. L. Daniel (APSS) Leung, Janet (APSS) |
| Degree: | DSW |
| Year: | 2021 |
| Subject: | Teenagers -- Suicidal behavior Self-mutilation in adolescence Teenagers -- Family relationships Parental influences Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Applied Social Sciences |
| Pages: | 322 pages : illustrations |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Adolescent deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal behavior are two global issues that are serious both in Hong Kong and elsewhere in the world. Based on the ecological model focusing on family influences, this study examined the contribution of dyadic family processes (paternal/maternal behavioral control, paternal/maternal psychological control, and father/mother-child relational quality) and systemic family processes (mutuality, conflicts and communication) to adolescent DSH and suicidal behavior. Six research questions were investigated in the present study: (a) Is parental behavioral control related to adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior? (b) Is parental psychological control related to adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior? (c) Is parent-child relational quality related to adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior? (d) Is systemic family functioning related to adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior? (e) Do fathers and mothers have different influences on adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior, based on the perceptions of adolescents? (f) What is the relative contribution of dyadic and systemic family processes to adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior? A secondary data analysis was conducted to answer the research questions using the cross-sectional data set from the P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) project. In the P.A.T.H.S. project, students in Secondary 3 (Grade 9) in Hong Kong were invited to complete a questionnaire in 2011/12. The family factors examined include (a) dyadic parent-child subsystem quality factors (parental/maternal behavior control, parental/maternal psychological control, and parental/maternal-child relational quality); and (b) family functioning. For the outcome variables, the foci were deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicidal behavior. There are several significant findings from this study. First, parental behavioral control was negatively correlated with adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior. Second, parental psychological control was positively correlated with adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior. Third, parent-child relational quality was negatively associated with adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior. Fourth, systemic family functioning (mutuality and communication) was negatively correlated with adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior. Fifth, differences were found in perceived paternal and maternal influences on adolescent DSH and adolescent suicidal behavior. Finally, systemic family functioning was found to be the best predictor. This study has significant theoretical, methodological and practical contributions. Theoretically, it clarifies how different dyadic and systemic family processes are related to adolescent DSH and suicidal behavior in a Chinese context. Moreover, it clarifies the different parental impacts on adolescent DSH and suicidal behavior in Hong Kong. Methodologically, a large non-Western Chinese sample and validated measures in a Chinese context were used. Practically, the study provides pointers for prevention, interventions and policy formulation relating to adolescent DSH and suicidal behavior. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6366.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 1.29 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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