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Licensed Unlicensed Requires Authentication Published by De Gruyter May 16, 2011

Learning and psychological difficulties among non-engaged youth in Hong Kong

  • Alice Cheng-Lai EMAIL logo and Allen Dorcas

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between having learning difficulties (LD), psychological problems, and being non-engaged among Hong Kong youths. Four hundred and twenty-eight youths, aged from 15 to 24 years, and who were either non-engaged youth (NEY) or at-risk of becoming non-engaged, were interviewed. Instruments consisted of a demographic questionnaire, an initial screening, and a follow-up in-depth investigation of learning and psychological difficulties. It was estimated that around 26% of NEY subjects and around 42% of at-risk subjects could be regarded as having a certain degree of LD. It can be roughly estimated that around 13.7% of NEY subjects and around 22% of at-risk subjects were experiencing psychological difficulties at the time this study was conducted. Major types of psychological problems encountered by non-engaged youths were mood, substance use, and anxiety disorders. They also appeared to be mostly affected by employment, financial, and relationship issues.


Corresponding author: Alice Cheng-Lai, PhD, Associate Professor of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, P.R. China

Received: 2010-10-9
Accepted: 2010-12-10
Published Online: 2011-05-16
Published in Print: 2011-08-01

©2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston

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