Perceptions of socially responsible behaviour amongst Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong

Abstract

Based on 2,474 students recruited from 20 high schools in Hong Kong, this study examined students' perceptions of fifteen kinds of socially responsible behaviour amongst themselves and general Hong Kong adolescents. Results showed that students generally perceived themselves as showing socially responsible behaviour. Besides, their social responsibility scores were higher than those of Hong Kong adolescents in twelve areas, thus providing support for the self-enhancement effect in these areas. Further analyses revealed that age, grade, gender, and parental education were associated with adolescents' perceptions of their own socially responsible behaviour, while age, grade, and gender were found to be associated with adolescent perceptions of socially responsible behaviour of Hong Kong adolescents. Multiple regression analyses further showed that gender and maternal education were significant predictors of students' perceptions of their socially responsible behaviour.