Materialism in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong : profiles and socio-demographic correlates

Abstract

Although youth development models suggest that materialistic beliefs have a negative impact on adolescent development, empirical studies in this area are scarce. Based on a sample of 2,474 high school students in Hong Kong, this study examined the profiles of materialism and socio-demographic correlates of adolescent materialism. Results showed that more than a quarter of the respondents agreed that earning money is more important than other things. Significant proportions of the respondents also agreed that adolescents in Hong Kong were materialistic. However, the respondents perceived themselves to be less materialistic as compared to general adolescents in Hong Kong. Regarding socio-demographic correlates of materialism in adolescents, correlation and regression analyses showed that age, gender, parental education, and family intactness were associated with adolescent materialism. Multiple regression analyses further showed that age, gender, and family intactness were significant predictors of adolescent materialism.