Self-Reported Risk and Delinquent Behavior and Problem Behavioral Intention in Hong Kong Adolescents: The Role of Moral Competence and Spirituality

Abstract

Based on the six-wave data collected from Grade 7 to Grade 12 students (N = 3,328 at Wave 1), this pioneer study examined the development of problem behaviors (risk and delinquent behavior and problem behavioral intention) and the predictors (moral competence and spirituality) among adolescents in Hong Kong. Individual growth curve models revealed that while risk and delinquent behavior accelerated and then slowed down in the high school years, adolescent problem behavioral intention slightly accelerated over time. After controlling the background socio-demographic factors, moral competence and spirituality were negatively associated with risk and delinquent behavior as well as problem behavioral intention across all waves as predicted. Regarding the rate of change in the outcome measures, while the initial level of spirituality was positively linked to the growth rate of risk and delinquent behavior, the initial level of moral competence was negatively associated with the growth rate of problem behavioral intention. The theoretical and practical implications of the present findings are discussed with reference to the role of moral competence and spirituality in the development of adolescent problem behavior.

The Impact of Positive Youth Development Attributes and Life Satisfaction on Academic Well-Being: A Longitudinal Mediation Study

“… Benson et al (2006) argued that PYD could be shaped by both external and internal assets, which contributes to adolescent well-being and later success. Consistent with the PYD theories, research findings showed that PYD qualities were linked to a broad range of adolescent developmental outcomes including internalizing and externalizing behaviors, psychological adjustment as well as prosocial behavior ( Eichas et al, 2010 ; Schwartz et al, 2010 ; Ciocanel et al, 2017 ; Shek and Zhu, 2018 ; Zhou et al, 2020 ). However, few studies have addressed the mediating role of life satisfaction in the influence of PYD qualities on adolescent developmental outcomes, particularly in different Chinese societies ( Sun and Shek, 2010 , 2012 ).…”

Paternal and Maternal Influence on Delinquency among Early Adolescents in Hong Kong

“…We used data collected in a 6-year longitudinal research project launched in the 2009–2010 school year, which involved more than 3000 students in 28 Hong Kong secondary schools. More information on the project is outlined elsewhere [23,56,57]. The project was reviewed and approved by the Human Subjects Ethics Sub-Committee at a public university in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Polytechnic University).…”

<p>Positive youth development: current perspectives</p>

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