Ethnicity, Spiritual Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction Among Immigrant Adolescents

• In Event: Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: Spirituality and Education, Part 2

Abstract

This research explored differences in the self-appraised spiritual well-being (SWB) and life satisfaction among different student groups, using the Spiritual Health and Life-Orientation Measure (SHALOM) and the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS). The sample comprised 2026 students from six secondary schools in Hong Kong. A strong link between SWB and student characteristics was found. Contextual influence was analysed. The study revealed that a high concentration of Non-Chinese students (NCS) in schools promotes greater SWB and life satisfaction. The reverse is true for Chinese students (CS). These differences are partially explained by the religiosity and spiritual awareness of the different student groups. Gender and level of study are also agentive variables contributing to the differences.

Author

• Celeste Yuet Mui Yuen, The Hong Kong Institute of Education